Winning isn't enough. The acme of all skill is to defeat your enemy before taking the field.

Carefully study the well-being of your men, and do not overtax them. Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength. Keep your army continually on the move, and devise unfathomable plans.

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

If a general shows confidence in his men but always insists on his orders being obeyed, the gain will be mutual.

The one who figures on victory at headquarters before even doing battle is the one who has the most strategic factors on his side.

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

What is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy's strategy.