The skilful employer of men will employ the wise man, the brave man, the covetous man, and the stupid man.

A battle avoided cannot be lost.

Ultimate excellence lies not in winning every battle, but in defeating the enemy without ever fighting.

He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks.

These are the six ways of courting defeat - neglect to estimate the enemy's strength; want of authority; defective training; unjustifiable anger; nonobservance of discipline; failure to use picked men.

The general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand. Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat: how much more no calculation at all! It is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose.

Ground which can be freely traversed by both sides is called accessible.