If I wish to engage, then the enemy, for all his high ramparts and deep moat, cannot avoid engagement; I attack that which he is obliged to rescue.

Know the enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles you will never peril.

The difficulty of tactical maneuvering consists in turning the devious into the direct, and misfortune into gain.

In war, numbers alone confer no advantage. Do not advance relying on sheer military power.

Therefore the skillful leader subdues the enemy's troops without any fighting; he captures their cities without laying siege to them; he overthrows their kingdom without lengthy operations in the field.

Attack where he is unprepared; sally forth when he does not expect you.

It is the rule in war, if ten times the enemy's strength, surround them; if five times, attack them; if double, be able to divide them; if equal, engage them; if fewer, defend against them; if weaker, be able to avoid them.