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.

Those who win every battle are not really skillful—those who render others' armies helpless without fighting are the best of all.

When the outlook is bright, bring it before their eyes; but tell them nothing when the situation is gloomy.

In war, practice dissimulation, and you will succeed.

What enables the enlightened rulers and good generals to conquer the enemy at every move and achieve extraordinary success is foreknowledge.

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

The art of war, then, is governed by five constant factors, to be taken into account in one's deliberations, when seeking to determine the conditions obtaining in the field.

The art of war is of vital importance to the State.

It is best to win without fighting.

Unhappy is the fate of one who tries to win his battles and succeed in his attacks without cultivating the spirit of enterprise; for the result is waste of time and general stagnation.