Until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared

When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move.

With regard to precipitous heights, if you are beforehand with your adversary, you should occupy the raised and sunny spots, and there wait for him to come up.

All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.

If you are situated at a great distance from the enemy, and the strength of the two armies is equal, it is not easy to provoke a battle, and fighting will be to your disadvantage.

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

Those who are victorious plan effectively and change decisively. They are like a great river that maintains its course but adjusts its flow.