If an enemy has alliances, the problem is grave and the enemy's position strong; if he has no alliances, the problem is minor and the enemy's position weak.

Too frequent rewards indicate that the general is at the end of his resources; too frequent punishments that he is in acute distress.

The proximity of an army causes prices to go up; and high prices cause people's substance to be drained away. When their substance is drained away, they will be afflicted by heavy exactions. With this loss of substance and exhaustion of strength, the homes of the people will be stripped bare, and their incomes dissipated.

Thus those skilled in war subdue the enemy's army without battle .... They conquer by strategy.

Sweat more during peace: bleed less during war

One need not destroy one's enemy. One need only destroy his willingness to engage.

Weak leadership can wreck the soundest strategy