He must be able to mystify his officers and men by false reports and appearances, and thus keep them in total ignorance.

There are routes not to be followed, armies not to be attacked, citadels not to be besieged, territory not to be fought over.

What is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy's strategy.

Victory comes from finding opportunities in problems.

All warfare is based on deception. If your enemy is superior, evade him. If angry, irritate him. If equally matched, fight and if not: split and re-evaluate.

He who wishes to fight must first count the cost

The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy. To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. Thus the good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy.