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

A wise general makes a point of foraging of the enemy.

Thus, though I have heard of successful military operations that were clumsy but swift, cleverness has never been seen associated with long delays.

Those who excel in war first cultivate their own humanity and and maintain their laws and institutions. By these means they make their governments invincible.

Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating ourselves to the enemy's purpose.

As water shapes its flow in accordance with the ground, so an army manages its victory in accordance with the situation of the enemy.

All war is deception.