Bestow rewards without regard to rule, issue orders without regard to previous arrangements; and you will be able to handle a whole army as though you had to do with but a single man.

If those who are sent to draw water begin by drinking themselves, the army is suffering from thirst.

Appraise war in terms of the fundamental factors. The first of these factors is moral influence.

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.

If I determine the enemy's disposition of forces while I have no perceptible form, I can concentrate my forces while the enemy is fragmented. The pinnacle of military deployment approaches the formless: if it is formless, then even the deepest spy cannot discern it nor the wise make plans against it.

Where the army is, prices are high; when prices rise the wealth of the people is exhausted.

The clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him.