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.

As water has no constant form, there are in war no constant conditions.

O divine art of subtlety and secrecy! Through you we learn to be invisible, through you inaudible and hence we can hold the enemy's fate in our hands.

Carefully study the well-being of your men, and do not overtax them. Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength. Keep your army continually on the move, and devise unfathomable plans.

Weak leadership can wreck the soundest strategy; forceful execution of even a poor plan can often bring victory.

In war, then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns.

A leader leads by example not by force.