Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision.

Appear at points which the enemy must hasten to defend; march swiftly to places where you are not expected.

Don't flail against the world, use it. Flexibility is the operative principle in the art of war.

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.

Unless you enter the tiger's lair, you cannot get hold of the tiger's cub's.

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.

It is essential to seek out enemy agents who have come to conduct espionage against you and to bribe them to serve you. Give them instructions and care for them. Thus doubled agents are recruited and used.