To capture the enemy's entire army is better than to destroy it; to take intact a regiment, a company, or a squad is better than to destroy them. For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the supreme of excellence. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the supreme excellence.

There are routes not to be followed, armies not to be attacked, citadels not to be besieged, territory not to be fought over.

The height of strategy, is to attack your opponent's strategy.

The natural formation of the country is the soldier's best ally; but a power of estimating the adversary, of controlling the forces of victory, and of shrewdly calculating difficulties, dangers and distances, constitutes the test of a great general.

Too frequent rewards indicate that the general is at the end of his resources; too frequent punishments that he is in acute distress.

Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain

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