Hence the saying: The enlightened ruler lays his plans well ahead; the good general cultivates his resources.

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.

Move not unless you see an advantage; use not your troops unless there is something to be gained; fight not unless the position is critical.

When he utilizes combined energy, his fighting men become as it were like unto rolling logs or stones. For it is the nature of a log or stone to remain motionless on level ground, and to move when on a slope; if four-cornered, to come to a standstill, but if round-shaped to go rolling down.

Perfection in war lies in so sapping your opponents will that he surrenders without fighting.

The difficulty of tactical maneuvering consists in turning the devious into the direct, and misfortune into gain.

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.