In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy's country whole and intact; to shatter and destroy it is not so good.

Keep their friends close and their enemies closer.

A clever general... avoids an army when its spirit is keen, but attacks it when it is sluggish and inclined to return. This is the art of studying moods. Disciplined and calm, he awaits the appearance of disorder and hubbub among the enemy. This is the art of retaining self-possession.

Those skilled in attack move as from above the nine-fold heavens. Thus they are capable both of protecting themselves and of gaining complete victory.

Attack the enemy's strategy.

Know the enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles you will never peril.

The difficulty of tactical maneuvering consists in turning the devious into the direct, and misfortune into gain.