And therefore those skilled in war bring the enemy to the field of battle and are not brought there by him.

Those who are victorious plan effectively and change decisively. They are like a great river that maintains its course but adjusts its flow.

the leader of armies is the arbiter of the people's fate, the man on whom it depends whether the nation shall be in peace or in peril.

What is essential in war is victory, not prolonged operations.

Of all those in the army close to the commander, none is more intimate than the secret agent.

Carefully compare the opposing army with your own, so that you may know where strength is superabundant and where it is deficient.

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.