Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.

For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.

When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.

When your weapons are dulled and ardour damped, your strength exhausted and treasure spent, neighboring rulers will take advantage of your distress to act. And even though you have wise counsellors, none will be able to lay good plans for the future. Thus, while we have heard of blundering swiftness in war, we have not yet seen a clever operation that was prolonged.

When strong, avoid them. If of high morale, depress them. Seem humble to fill them with conceit. If at ease, exhaust them. If united, separate them. Attack their weaknesses. Emerge to their surprise.

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

Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated.