When the common soldiers are too strong and their officers too weak, the result is insubordination. When the officers are too strong and the common soldiers too weak, the result is collapse.

A military operation involves deception. Even though you are competent, appear to be incompetent. Though effective, appear to be ineffective.

Knowledge of the enemy's dispositions can only be obtained from other men.

Act after having made assessments. The one who first knows the measure of far and near wins - this is the rule of armed struggle.

First learn to become invincible, then wait for your enemy's moment of vulnerability.

Getting people to fight by letting the force of momentum work is like rolling logs and rocks. Logs and rocks are still when in a secure place, but roll on an incline; they remain stationary if square, they roll if round. Therefore, when people are skillfully led into battle, the momentum is like that of round rocks rolling down a high mountain - this is force.

So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak.