When your opponent gives you an opening, be swift as a hare.

Pretend to be weak, so your enemy may grow arrogant.

Invincibility lies in the defense; the possibility of victory in the attack.

To perceive victory when it is known to all is not really skilful... It does not take much strength to lift a hair, it does not take sharp eyes to see the sun and moon, it does not take sharp ears to hear the thunderclap.

Spies cannot be usefully employed without a certain intuitive sagacity; They cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straightforwardness; Without subtle ingenuity of mind, one cannot make certain of the truth of their reports; Be subtle! be subtle! and use your spies for every kind of warfare; If a secret piece of news is divulged by a spy before the time is ripe, he must be put to death together with the man to whom the secret was told.

When the thunderclap comes, there is no time to cover the ears.

Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.