To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.
When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.
In warfare, there are no constant conditions. He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent will succeed and win.
To capture an enemies army is better than to destroy it.
To a surrounded enemy, you must leave a way of escape.
He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks.