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

Thus those skilled in war subdue the enemy's army without battle .... They conquer by strategy.

The value of time, that is of being a little ahead of your opponent, often provides greater advantage than superior numbers or greater resources.

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

Nothing is more difficult than the art of maneuver. What is difficult about maneuver is to make the devious route the most direct and to turn misfortune to advantage.

Those who are victorious plan effectively and change decisively. They are like a great river that maintains its course but adjusts its flow.

If you know both yourself and your enemy, you can win a hundred battles without a single loss.