Thus the skilful general conducts his army just as though he were leading a single man, willy-nilly, by the hand.

Therefore the skillful leader subdues the enemy's troops without any fighting; he captures their cities without laying siege to them; he overthrows their kingdom without lengthy operations in the field.

Of old the expert in battle would first make himself invincible and then wait for his enemy to expose his vulnerability.

When you are ignorant of the enemy but know yourself, your chances of winning or losing are equal.

It is through the dispositions of an army that its condition may be discovered. Conceal your dispositions, and your condition will remain secret, which leads to victory,; show your dispositions, and your condition will become patent, which leads to defeat.

When your opponent gives you an opening, be swift as a hare.

When I have won a victory I do not repeat my tactics but respond to circumstances in an infinite variety of ways.