If you are situated at a great distance from the enemy, and the strength of the two armies is equal, it is not easy to provoke a battle, and fighting will be to your disadvantage.

The proximity of an army causes prices to go up; and high prices cause people's substance to be drained away. When their substance is drained away, they will be afflicted by heavy exactions. With this loss of substance and exhaustion of strength, the homes of the people will be stripped bare, and their incomes dissipated.

In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory.

Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no escape, and they will prefer death to flight. If they will face death, there is nothing they may not achieve.

The best general is the one who never fights.

Subjugating the enemy's army without fighting is the true pinnacle of excellence.

Thus, though I have heard of successful military operations that were clumsy but swift, cleverness has never been seen associated with long delays.