If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.

The one who figures on victory at headquarters before even doing battle is the one who has the most strategic factors on his side.

Without local guides, your enemy employs the land as a weapon against you.

When he pretends to flee, do not pursue.

Subtle and insubstantial, the expert leaves no trace; divinely mysterious, he is inaudible. Thus he is master of his enemy's fate.

The art of giving orders is not to try to rectify the minor blunders and not be swayed by petty doubts.

Maneuvering with an army is advantageous; with an undisciplined multitude, most dangerous.