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

Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will.

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.

To perceive victory when it is known to all is not really skilful... It does not take much strength to lift a hair, it does not take sharp eyes to see the sun and moon, it does not take sharp ears to hear the thunderclap.

Ground which can be freely traversed by both sides is called accessible.

The best victory is when the opponent surrenders of its own accord before there are any actual hostilities...It is best to win without fighting.

When you shoot a bow and arrow, you aim at the clouds, not because you expect to hit them, but so that you may reach the distant target on the ground.