Those who are victorious plan effectively and change decisively. They are like a great river that maintains its course but adjusts its flow.

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.

The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy. To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. Thus the good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy.

So the important thing in a military operation is victory, not persistence.

There has never been a protracted war from which a country has benefitted.

Hence that general is skilful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skilful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.

Know the enemy, know yourself; your victory will never be endangered. Know the ground, know the weather; your victory will then be total.