When I have won a victory I do not repeat my tactics but respond to circumstances in an infinite variety of ways.

If we do not wish to fight, we can prevent the enemy from engaging us even though the lines of our encampment be merely traced out on the ground. All we need to do is to throw something odd and unaccountable in his way.

So there are five ways of knowing who will win. Those who know when to fight and when not to fight are victorious. Those who discern when to use many or few troops are victorious. Those whose upper and lower ranks have the same desire are victorious.

Weak leadership can wreck the soundest strategy; forceful execution of even a poor plan can often bring victory.

Thus those skilled in war subdue the enemy's army without battle .... They conquer by strategy.

He who knows things, and in fighting puts his knowledge into practice, will win his battles. He who knows them not, nor practices them, will surely be defeated.

Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance.