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

If an enemy has alliances, the problem is grave and the enemy's position strong; if he has no alliances, the problem is minor and the enemy's position weak.

In a position of this sort, even though the enemy should offer us an attractive bait, it will be advisable not to stir forth, but rather to retreat, thus enticing the enemy in his turn; then, when part of his army has come out, we may deliver our attack with advantage.

Those who excel in war first cultivate their own humanity and and maintain their laws and institutions. By these means they make their governments invincible.

All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.

When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.

Ground which can be abandoned but is hard to re-occupy is called entangling.