Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.

These are the six ways of courting defeat - neglect to estimate the enemy's strength; want of authority; defective training; unjustifiable anger; nonobservance of discipline; failure to use picked men.

He must be able to mystify his officers and men by false reports and appearances, and thus keep them in total ignorance.

To ... not prepare is the greatest of crimes; to be prepared beforehand for any contingency is the greatest of virtues.

If I am able to determine the enemy's dispositions while at the same time I conceal my own, then I can concentrate and he must divide.

Act after having made assessments. The one who first knows the measure of far and near wins - this is the rule of armed struggle.

Subjugating the enemy's army without fighting is the true pinnacle of excellence.