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.

Supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy's strategy.

In difficult ground, press on; In encircled ground, devise stratagems; In death ground, fight.

What the ancients called a skilful fighter is one who not only wins but wins with ease...He wins by making no mistakes. Making no mistakes means having already established the certainty of victory; conquering an enemy who is already defeated.

If they are in an awkward place together, they will surely exert their united strength to get out of it.

The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.

In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.