The general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand. Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat: how much more no calculation at all! It is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose.

Place your army in deadly peril, and it will survive; plunge it into desperate straits, and it will come off in safety.

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

He who knows things, and in fighting puts his knowledge into practice, will win his battles. He who knows them not, nor practices them, will surely be defeated.

We may distinguish six kinds of terrain, to wit: (1) Accessible ground; (2) entangling ground; (3) temporising ground; (4) narrow passes; (5) precipitous heights; (6) positions at a great distance from the enemy.

It is more important to outhink your enemy, than to outfight him

One who sets the entire army in motion to chase an advantage will not attain it.