All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.

One who speaks deferentially but increases his preparations will advance. One who speaks belligerently and advances hastily will retreat.

A battle avoided cannot be lost.

Know the enemy and know yourself.

No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own spleen; no general should fight a battle simply out of pique.

All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.

In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory. Indirect tactics, efficiently applied, are inexhaustible as Heaven and Earth, unending as the flow of rivers and streams; like the sun and moon, they end but to begin anew; like the four seasons, they pass away to return once more.