Now this foreknowledge cannot be elicited from spirits; it cannot be obtained inductively from experience, nor by any deductive calculation.

Every battle is won before it is fought.

Thus those skilled in war subdue the enemy's army without battle .... They conquer by strategy.

Set the troops to their tasks without imparting your designs.

A military operation involves deception. Even though you are competent, appear to be incompetent. Though effective, appear to be ineffective.

If our soldiers are not overburdened with money, it is not because they have a distaste for riches; if their lives are not unduly long, it is not because they are disinclined to longevity.

Know thy enemy and know thy self and you will win a hundred battles.