Now a soldier's spirit is keenest in the morning; by noonday it has begun to flag; and in the evening, his mind is only on returning to camp.

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

If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.

In desperate position, you must fight.

It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack him; if twice as numerous, to divide our army into two.

Do not press an enemy at bay. Prince Fu Ch'ai said: "Wild beasts, when at bay, fight desperately. How much more is this true of men! If they know there is no alternative, they will fight to the death.

So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak.