To plan secretly, to move surreptitiously, to foil the enemy's intentions and balk his schemes, so that at last the day may be won without shedding a drop of blood.

If you are far from the enemy, make him believe you are near.

Without subtle ingenuity of mind, one cannot make certain of the truth of their reports.

The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.

When torrential water tosses boulders, it is because of its momentum. When the strike of a hawk breaks the body of its prey, it is because of timing.

Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions.

With regard to narrow passes, if you can occupy them first, let them be strongly garrisoned and await the advent of the enemy.