One need not destroy one's enemy. One need only destroy his willingness to engage.

Perfection in war lies in so sapping your opponents will that he surrenders without fighting.

Attack the enemy's strategy.

Too frequent rewards indicate that the general is at the end of his resources; too frequent punishments that he is in acute distress.

Of old the expert in battle would first make himself invincible and then wait for his enemy to expose his vulnerability.

If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight.

If, however, you are indulgent, but unable to make your authority felt; kind-hearted, but unable to enforce your commands; and incapable, moreover, of quelling disorder: then your soldiers must be likened to spoilt children; they are useless for any practical purpose.