There are only five notes in the musical scale, but their variations are so many that they cannot all be heard. There are only five basic colors, but their variations are so many that they cannot all be seen. There are only five basic flavors, but their variations are so many that they cannot all be tasted. There are only two kinds of charge in battle, the unorthodox surprise attack and the orthodox direct attack, but variations of the unorthodox and the orthodox are endless. The unorthodox and the orthodox give rise to each other, like a beginningless circle-who could exhaust them?

Those skilled in attack move as from above the nine-fold heavens. Thus they are capable both of protecting themselves and of gaining complete victory.

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.

Convince your enemy that he will gain very little by attacking you; this will diminish his enthusiasm

The business of a general is to kick away the ladder behind soldiers when they have climbed up a height.

If your enemy is superior, evade him

Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.