Ultimate excellence lies not in winning every battle, but in defeating the enemy without ever fighting.

Victory is the main object in war.

Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared.

When the leader is morally weak and his discipline not strict, when his instructions and guidance are not enlightened, when there are no consistent rules, neighboring rulers will take advantage of this.

In the midst of difficulties we are always ready to seize an advantage, we may extricate ourselves from misfortune.

One need not destroy one's enemy. One need only destroy his willingness to engage.

It is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general who will use the highest intelligence of the army for the purposes of spying, and thereby they achieve great results.