Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.

A clever general... avoids an army when its spirit is keen, but attacks it when it is sluggish and inclined to return. This is the art of studying moods. Disciplined and calm, he awaits the appearance of disorder and hubbub among the enemy. This is the art of retaining self-possession.

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

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

In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory.

To conquer the enemy without resorting to war is the most desirable. The highest form of generalship is to conquer the enemy by strategy.

You cannot know if you will be successful or not. You can only prepare for battle and it must be done with all of your heart and with all of your consciousness. In that manner, you will have an edge.