To Subdue an enemy without fighting is the greatest of skills

Know the enemy, know yourself; your victory will never be endangered. Know the ground, know the weather; your victory will then be total.

On the field of battle, the spoken word does not carry far enough; hence the institution of gongs and drums... banners and flags. Gongs and drums, banners and flags, are means whereby the ears and eyes of the host may be focused on one particular point.

Subtle and insubstantial, the expert leaves no trace; divinely mysterious, he is inaudible. Thus he is master of his enemy's fate.

Bestow rewards without regard to rule, issue orders without regard to previous arrangements; and you will be able to handle a whole army as though you had to do with but a single man.

Correct your mistake as soon as you have found it.

Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small.