O divine art of subtlety and secrecy!

Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will.

When he utilizes combined energy, his fighting men become as it were like unto rolling logs or stones. For it is the nature of a log or stone to remain motionless on level ground, and to move when on a slope; if four-cornered, to come to a standstill, but if round-shaped to go rolling down.

It is through the dispositions of an army that its condition may be discovered. Conceal your dispositions, and your condition will remain secret, which leads to victory,; show your dispositions, and your condition will become patent, which leads to defeat.

If this is long delayed, weapons are blunted and morale depressed.

So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak.

If you are strong, appear weak. But if you are weak, appear strong.