The best victory is when the opponent surrenders of its own accord before there are any actual hostilities...It is best to win without fighting.

Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and you know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you now Heaven and you know Earth, you may make your victory complete.

He must be able to mystify his officers and men by false reports and appearances, and thus keep them in total ignorance.

No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own spleen; no general should fight a battle simply out of pique. If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, stay where you are. Anger may in time change to gladness; vexation may be succeeded by content. But a kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life.

If their forces are substantial, prepare for them; if their forces are strong, avoid them.

If you are strong, appear weak. But if you are weak, appear strong.

If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, the general is to blame. But if his orders are clear, and the soldiers nevertheless disobey, then it is the fault of their officers.