Subjugating the enemy's army without fighting is the true pinnacle of excellence.

He who knows his enemy and himself well will not be defeated easily.

There are not more than five primary colours, yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever been seen.

Spies are a most important element in water, because on them depends an army's ability to move.

There are roads which must not be followed, armies which must not be attacked, towns which must not be besieged, positions which must not be contested, commands of the sovereign which must not be obeyed.

On dispersive ground, therefore, fight not. On facile ground, halt not. On contentious ground, attack not. On open ground, do not try to block the enemy's way. On the ground of intersecting highways, join hands with your allies. On serious ground, gather in plunder. In difficult ground, keep steadily on the march. On hemmed-in ground, resort to stratagem. On desperate ground, fight.

For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.