Like the sun and moon, they end but to begin anew; like the four seasons, they pass away to return once more.

Thus we may know that there are five essentials for victory: He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight. He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces. He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks. He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared. He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign.

If we do not wish to fight, we can prevent the enemy from engaging us even though the lines of our encampment be merely traced out on the ground. All we need to do is to throw something odd and unaccountable in his way.

Birds rising in flight is a sign that the enemy is lying in ambush; when the wild animals are startled and flee he is trying to take you unaware.

Set the troops to their tasks without imparting your designs.

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

Apparent confusion is a product of good order; apparent cowardice, of courage; apparent weakness, of strength.