This does not mean that the enemy is to be allowed to escape. The object is to make him believe that there is a road to safety, and thus prevent his fighting with the courage of despair. After that, you may crush him.

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

Other conditions being equal, if one force is hurled against another ten times its size, the result will be the flight of the former.

Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no escape, and they will prefer death to flight. If they will face death, there is nothing they may not achieve.

Of old the expert in battle would first make himself invincible and then wait for his enemy to expose his vulnerability.

To a surrounded enemy, you must leave a way of escape.

It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war that can thoroughly understand the profitable way of carrying it on.