So the principles of warfare are: Do not depend on the enemy not coming, but depend on our readiness against him. Do not depend on the enemy not attacking, but depend on our position that cannot be attacked.

A military operation involves deception. Even though you are competent, appear to be incompetent. Though effective, appear to be ineffective.

So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak. Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing.

Ground which can be abandoned but is hard to re-occupy is called entangling.

The good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy.

He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign.

When a general, unable to estimate the enemy's strength, allows an inferior force to engage a larger one, or hurls a weak detachment against a powerful one, and neglects to place picked soldiers in the front rank, the result must be rout.