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

One who speaks deferentially but increases his preparations will advance. One who speaks belligerently and advances hastily will retreat.

If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight, even though the ruler forbid it; if fighting will not result in victory, then you must not fight even at the ruler's bidding.

Thus those skilled in war subdue the enemy's army without battle .... They conquer by strategy.

Getting people to fight by letting the force of momentum work is like rolling logs and rocks. Logs and rocks are still when in a secure place, but roll on an incline; they remain stationary if square, they roll if round. Therefore, when people are skillfully led into battle, the momentum is like that of round rocks rolling down a high mountain - this is force.

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

Know the enemy and know yourself.