The opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

There has never been a protracted war from which a country has benefitted.

All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.

On dispersive ground, therefore, fight not. On facile ground, halt not. On contentious ground, attack not. On open ground, do not try to block the enemy's way. On the ground of intersecting highways, join hands with your allies. On serious ground, gather in plunder. In difficult ground, keep steadily on the march. On hemmed-in ground, resort to stratagem. On desperate ground, fight.

It is according to the shapes that I lay the plans for victory, but the multitude does not comprehend this. Although everyone can see the outward aspects, none understands the way in which I have created victory.

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

Hence the saying: One may know how to conquer without being able to do it.