And therefore only the enlightened sovereign and the worthy general who are able to use the most intelligent people as agents are certain to achieve great things.

The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.

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

The essential factor of military success is speed, that is taking advantage of others' unpreparedness or lack of foresight, their failure to catch up, going by routes they do not expect, attacking where they are not on guard. This you cannot accomplish with hesitation.

Nothing is more difficult than the art of maneuver. What is difficult about maneuver is to make the devious route the most direct and to turn misfortune to advantage.

The skillful leader subdues the enemy's troops without any fighting.

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