Without subtle ingenuity of mind, one cannot make certain of the truth of their reports.

In making tactical dispositions, the highest pitch you can attain is to conceal them.

To capture an enemies army is better than to destroy it.

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.

There are three ways in which a ruler can bring misfortune on his army: By commanding the army to advance or to retreat, being ignorant of the fact that it cannot obey. This is called hobbling the army. By attempting to govern an army in the same way as he administers a kingdom, being ignorant of the conditions which obtain in an army. This causes restlessness in the soldier's minds. By employing the officers of his army without discrimination, through ignorance of the military principle of adaptation to circumstances. This shakes the confidence of the soldiers.

Weigh the situation, then move.

Do not swallow bait offered by the enemy. Do not interfere with an army that is returning home.