Do not press an enemy at bay. Prince Fu Ch'ai said: "Wild beasts, when at bay, fight desperately. How much more is this true of men! If they know there is no alternative, they will fight to the death.

Know the enemy and know yourself.

When torrential water tosses boulders, it is because of its momentum. When the strike of a hawk breaks the body of its prey, it is because of timing.

Victory is reserved for those who are willing to pay its price.

Therefore, to estimate the enemy situation and to calculate distances and the degree of difficulty of the terrain so as to control victory are virtues of the superior general.

Other conditions being equal, if one force is hurled against another ten times its size, the result will be the flight of the former.

When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move.