Who can determine where one ends and the other begins?

Hence the saying: One may know how to conquer without being able to do it.

The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.

Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and you know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you now Heaven and you know Earth, you may make your victory complete.

To capture an enemies army is better than to destroy it.

Ultimate excellence lies not in winning every battle, but in defeating the enemy without ever fighting.

In executing an Artful Strategy: When ten times greater, surround them; When five times greater, attack them; When two times greater, scatter them. If the opponent is ready to challenge: When fewer in number, be ready to evade them; When unequal to the match, be ready to avoid them. Even when the smaller opponents have a strong position, the larger opponent will capture them.