When the enemy is at ease, be able to weary him; when well fed, to starve him; when at rest, to make him move. Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.

Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated.

In the midst of difficulties we are always ready to seize an advantage, we may extricate ourselves from misfortune.

Know the enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles you will never peril.

Act after having made assessments. The one who first knows the measure of far and near wins - this is the rule of armed struggle.

Thus the skilful general conducts his army just as though he were leading a single man, willy-nilly, by the hand.

Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.