Rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him

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

It is a doctrine of war not to assume the enemy will not come, but rather to rely on one's readiness to meet him; not to presume that he will not attack, but rather to make one's self invincible.

One need not destroy one's enemy. One need only destroy his willingness to engage.

Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and you know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you now Heaven and you know Earth, you may make your victory complete.

When orders are consistently trustworthy and observed, the relationship of a commander with his troops is satisfactory.

Military tactics are like unto water; for water in its natural course runs away from high places and hastens downwards... Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing. Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions. He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be called a heaven-born captain.