Fighting with a large army under your command is nowise different from fighting with a small one: it is merely a question of instituting signs and signals.

If your enemy is superior, evade him

Whoever is the first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy will be fresh for the fight... Therefore the clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy... By holding out advantages to him, he can cause the enemy to approach of his own accord; or by inflicting damage, he can make it impossible for the enemy to draw near.

Do not swallow bait offered by the enemy. Do not interfere with an army that is returning home.

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

The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.

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