Every battle is won before it is fought.

So a military force has no constant formation, water has no constant shape: the ability to gain victory by changing and adapting according to the opponent is called genius.

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

A kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life.

The enemy's spies who have come to spy on us must be sought out, tempted with bribes, led away and comfortably housed. Thus they will become double agents and available for our service. It is through the information brought by the double agent that we are able to acquire and employ local and inward spies. It is owing to his information, again, that we can cause the doomed spy to carry false tidings to the enemy.

Like the sun and moon, they end but to begin anew; like the four seasons, they pass away to return once more.

The good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy.