On dispersive ground, therefore, fight not. On facile ground, halt not. On contentious ground, attack not. On open ground, do not try to block the enemy's way. On the ground of intersecting highways, join hands with your allies. On serious ground, gather in plunder. In difficult ground, keep steadily on the march. On hemmed-in ground, resort to stratagem. On desperate ground, fight.

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

There is nothing more difficult than tactical maneuvering. The difficult consists in turning the devious into the direct, and misfortune into gain. Thus, to take a long and circuitous route after enticing the enemy out of the way, and though starting after him to contrive to reach the goal before him, shows knowledge of the artifice of deviation.

Order or disorder depends on organisation and direction; courage or cowardice on circumstances; strength or weakness on tactical dispositions.

In the midst of difficulties we are always ready to seize an advantage, we may extricate ourselves from misfortune.

Winning isn't enough. The acme of all skill is to defeat your enemy before taking the field.

Without subtle ingenuity of mind, one cannot make certain of the truth of their reports.