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

There is no instance of a nation benefiting from prolonged warfare.

Unhappy is the fate of one who tries to win his battles and succeed in his attacks without cultivating the spirit of enterprise, for the result is waste of time and general stagnation.

Ground which can be freely traversed by both sides is called accessible.

Those who do not know the plans of competitors cannot prepare alliances. Those who do not know the lay of the land cannot maneuver their forces. Those who do not use local guides cannot take advantage of the ground.

Victory is reserved for those who are willing to pay its price.

Now this foreknowledge cannot be elicited from spirits; it cannot be obtained inductively from experience, nor by any deductive calculation.