The skillful leader subdues the enemy's troops without any fighting.

Use humility to make the enemy haughty. Tire them by flight. Cause division among them. When they are unprepared, attack and make your move when they do not expect it.

When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce.

If I wish to engage, then the enemy, for all his high ramparts and deep moat, cannot avoid engagement; I attack that which he is obliged to rescue.

Ground which can be freely traversed by both sides is called accessible.

When the leader is morally weak and his discipline not strict, when his instructions and guidance are not enlightened, when there are no consistent rules, neighboring rulers will take advantage of this.

Agitate him and ascertain the pattern of his movement.