Victory is reserved for those who are willing to pay its price.

In executing an Artful Strategy: When ten times greater, surround them; When five times greater, attack them; When two times greater, scatter them. If the opponent is ready to challenge: When fewer in number, be ready to evade them; When unequal to the match, be ready to avoid them. Even when the smaller opponents have a strong position, the larger opponent will capture them.

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

On dispersive ground, therefore, fight not. On facile ground, halt not. On contentious ground, attack not. On open ground, do not try to block the enemy's way. On the ground of intersecting highways, join hands with your allies. On serious ground, gather in plunder. In difficult ground, keep steadily on the march. On hemmed-in ground, resort to stratagem. On desperate ground, fight.

If a general shows confidence in his men but always insists on his orders being obeyed, the gain will be mutual.

The nature of war is constant change.

Ground which can be freely traversed by both sides is called accessible.