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

Bestow rewards without regard to rule, issue orders without regard to previous arrangements; and you will be able to handle a whole army as though you had to do with but a single man.

The general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand. Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat: how much more no calculation at all! It is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose.

He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.

When I have won a victory I do not repeat my tactics but respond to circumstances in an infinite variety of ways.

It is the business of a general to be serene and inscrutable, impartial and self-controlled.

Act after having made assessments. The one who first knows the measure of far and near wins - this is the rule of armed struggle.