Getting people to fight by letting the force of momentum work is like rolling logs and rocks. Logs and rocks are still when in a secure place, but roll on an incline; they remain stationary if square, they roll if round. Therefore, when people are skillfully led into battle, the momentum is like that of round rocks rolling down a high mountain - this is force.

To see victory only when it is within the ken of the common herd is not the acme of excellence.

Apparent confusion is a product of good order; apparent cowardice, of courage; apparent weakness, of strength.

Wait by the river long enough and the body of your enemy will float by you.

Those who are victorious plan effectively and change decisively. They are like a great river that maintains its course but adjusts its flow...they have form but are formless. They are skilled in both planning and adapting and need not fear the result of a thousand battles: for they win in advance, defeating those that have already lost.

There is no place where espionage is not possible.

They [spies] cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straightforwardness.