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

With regard to narrow passes, if you can occupy them first, let them be strongly garrisoned and await the advent of the enemy.

All battles are won before they start.

Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across.

Quickness is the essence of the war.

If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, stay where you are.

If I determine the enemy's disposition of forces while I have no perceptible form, I can concentrate my forces while the enemy is fragmented. The pinnacle of military deployment approaches the formless: if it is formless, then even the deepest spy cannot discern it nor the wise make plans against it.