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 you are strong, appear weak. But if you are weak, appear strong.

When you are ignorant of the enemy but know yourself, your chances of winning or losing are equal.

In war, numbers alone confer no advantage. Do not advance relying on sheer military power.

Those skilled at making the enemy move do so by creating a situation to which he must conform; they entice him with something he is certain to take, and with lures of ostensible profit they await him in strength.

Ultimate excellence lies not in winning every battle, but in defeating the enemy without ever fighting.

Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.