Rapidity is the essence of war: take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots.

All warfare is based on deception. There is no place where espionage is not used. Offer the enemy bait to lure him.

Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent's fate.

There is no place where espionage is not possible.

Of all rewards none [is] more liberal than those given to secret agents.

These are the six ways of courting defeat - neglect to estimate the enemy's strength; want of authority; defective training; unjustifiable anger; nonobservance of discipline; failure to use picked men.

All war is based on deception.