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

The supreme excellence is not to win a hundred victories in a hundred battles. The supreme excellence is to subdue the armies of your enemies without having to fight them.

Victory comes from finding opportunities in problems.

Appear at points which the enemy must hasten to defend; march swiftly to places where you are not expected.

A battle avoided cannot be lost.

If an enemy has alliances, the problem is grave and the enemy's position strong; if he has no alliances, the problem is minor and the enemy's position weak.

To perceive victory when it is known to all is not really skilful... It does not take much strength to lift a hair, it does not take sharp eyes to see the sun and moon, it does not take sharp ears to hear the thunderclap.