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.

If quick, I survive. If not quick, I am lost. This is death.

Factors in the art of warfare are: First, calculations; second, quantities; third, logistics; fourth, the balance of power; and fifth, the possibility of victory is based on the balance of power.

One defends when his strength is inadequate, he attacks when it is abundant.

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.

You can prevent your opponent from defeating you through defense, but you cannot defeat him without taking the offensive.

The true objective of war is peace.