The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.

The consummate leader cultivates the moral law, and strictly adheres to method and discipline; thus it is in his power to control success.

When the common soldiers are too strong and their officers too weak, the result is insubordination. When the officers are too strong and the common soldiers too weak, the result is collapse.

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

If an enemy has alliances, the problem is grave and the enemy's position strong; if he has no alliances, the problem is minor and the enemy's position weak.

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

Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent's fate.