When you are ignorant of the enemy but know yourself, your chances of winning or losing are equal.

To maintain an army at a distance causes the people to be impoverished.

If I determine the enemy's disposition of forces while I have no perceptible form, I can concentrate my forces while the enemy is fragmented. The pinnacle of military deployment approaches the formless: if it is formless, then even the deepest spy cannot discern it nor the wise make plans against it.

A military operation involves deception. Even though you are competent, appear to be incompetent. Though effective, appear to be ineffective.

The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses makes but few calculations beforehand.

If not in the interests of the state, do not act. If you cannot succeed, do not use troops. If you are not in danger, do not fight.

Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to the releasing of a trigger.