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

He who knows things, and in fighting puts his knowledge into practice, will win his battles. He who knows them not, nor practices them, will surely be defeated.

Should the enemy strengthen his van, he will weaken his rear; should he strengthen his rear, he will weaken his van; should he strengthen his left, he will weaken his right; should he strengthen his right, he will weaken his left. If he sends reinforcements everywhere, he will everywhere be weak.

The control of large numbers is possible, and like unto that of small numbers, if we subdivide them.

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

The best general is the one who never fights.

Bestow rewards without respect to customary practice; publish orders without respect to precedent. Thus you may employ the entire army as you would one man.