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

He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign.

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

Now the reason the enlightened prince and the wise general conquer the enemy whenever they move and their achievements surpass those of ordinary men is foreknowledge.

The general that hearkens to my counsel and acts upon it, will conquer: let such a one be retained in command! The general that hearkens not to my counsel nor acts upon it, will suffer defeat: - let such a one be dismissed!

It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack him; if twice as numerous, to divide our army into two.

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