When you do battle, even if you are winning, if you continue for a long time it will dull your forces and blunt you edge...If you keep your armies out in the field for a long time, your supplies will be insufficient. Transportation of provisions itself consumes 20 times the amount transported.

Apparent confusion is a product of good order; apparent cowardice, of courage; apparent weakness, of strength.

The expert in battle seeks his victory from strategic advantage and does not demand it from his men.

To ... not prepare is the greatest of crimes; to be prepared beforehand for any contingency is the greatest of virtues.

If there is disturbance in the camp, the general's authority is weak. If the banners and flags are shifted about, sedition is afoot. If the officers are angry, it means that the men are weary.

Know the enemy, know yourself; your victory will never be endangered. Know the ground, know the weather; your victory will then be total.

So there are five ways of knowing who will win. Those who know when to fight and when not to fight are victorious. Those who discern when to use many or few troops are victorious. Those whose upper and lower ranks have the same desire are victorious.