The successful person has unusual skill at dealing with conflict and ensuring the best outcome for all.

Of all those in the army close to the commander, none is more intimate than the secret agent.

Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.

If the enemy has occupied them before you, do not follow him, but retreat and try to entice him away.

On dispersive ground, therefore, fight not. On facile ground, halt not. On contentious ground, attack not. On open ground, do not try to block the enemy's way. On the ground of intersecting highways, join hands with your allies. On serious ground, gather in plunder. In difficult ground, keep steadily on the march. On hemmed-in ground, resort to stratagem. On desperate ground, fight.

In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.

He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.