When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.

Those who are victorious plan effectively and change decisively. They are like a great river that maintains its course but adjusts its flow...they have form but are formless. They are skilled in both planning and adapting and need not fear the result of a thousand battles: for they win in advance, defeating those that have already lost.

When the general is weak and without authority; when his orders are not clear and distinct; when there are no fixed duties assigned to officers and men, and the ranks are formed in a slovenly haphazard manner, the result is utter disorganization.

All war is based on deception.

These are six ways of courting defeat, which must be carefully noted by the general who has attained a responsible post.

Know thy self, know thy enemy.

Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night.