It is a doctrine of war not to assume the enemy will not come, but rather to rely on one's readiness to meet him; not to presume that he will not attack, but rather to make one's self invincible.

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

Those whose upper and lower ranks have the same desire are victorious.

Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.

So it is that good warriors take their stance on ground where they cannot lose, and do not overlook conditions that make an opponent prone to defeat.

When the thunderclap comes, there is no time to cover the ears.

Thus those skilled in war subdue the enemy's army without battle .... They conquer by strategy.