The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.

Hence the saying: The enlightened ruler lays his plans well ahead; the good general cultivates his resources.

Thus, though I have heard of successful military operations that were clumsy but swift, cleverness has never been seen associated with long delays.

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.

In war, numbers alone confer no advantage. Do not advance relying on sheer military power.

It is the rule in war, if ten times the enemy's strength, surround them; if five times, attack them; if double, be able to divide them; if equal, engage them; if fewer, defend against them; if weaker, be able to avoid them.

One mark of a great soldier is that he fight on his own terms or fights not at all.