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.

Bring war material with you from home, but forage on the enemy... use the conquered foe to augment one's own strength.

Those skilled in attack move as from above the nine-fold heavens. Thus they are capable both of protecting themselves and of gaining complete victory.

One who sets the entire army in motion to chase an advantage will not attain it.

If we do not wish to fight, we can prevent the enemy from engaging us even though the lines of our encampment be merely traced out on the ground. All we need to do is to throw something odd and unaccountable in his way.

The height of strategy, is to attack your opponent's strategy.

Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every move.