Thus those skilled in war subdue the enemy's army without battle .... They conquer by strategy.

Therefore, to estimate the enemy situation and to calculate distances and the degree of difficulty of the terrain so as to control victory are virtues of the superior general.

Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to the releasing of a trigger.

Know the enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles you will never peril.

In your deliberations, when seeking to determine the military conditions, let them be made the basis of a comparison, in this wise: which of the two generals has the most ability? on which side is Discipline most rigorously enforced? which army is stronger? on which side are the officers and men more highly trained? in which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment?

The best general is the one who never fights.

When torrential water tosses boulders, it is because of its momentum. When the strike of a hawk breaks the body of its prey, it is because of timing.