Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated.

Military tactics are like unto water; for water in its natural course runs away from high places and hastens downwards... Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing. Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions. He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be called a heaven-born captain.

The consummate leader cultivates the moral law, and strictly adheres to method and discipline; thus it is in his power to control success.

Don't flail against the world, use it. Flexibility is the operative principle in the art of war.

To maintain an army at a distance causes the people to be impoverished.

When the leader is morally weak and his discipline not strict, when his instructions and guidance are not enlightened, when there are no consistent rules, neighboring rulers will take advantage of this.

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