Convince your enemy that he will gain very little by attacking you; this will diminish his enthusiasm

Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.

To conquer the enemy without resorting to war is the most desirable. The highest form of generalship is to conquer the enemy by strategy.

If not in the interests of the state, do not act. If you cannot succeed, do not use troops. If you are not in danger, do not fight.

If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight, even though the ruler forbid it; if fighting will not result in victory, then you must not fight even at the ruler's bidding.

A wise general makes a point of foraging of the enemy.

The good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy.