Therefore the victories of good warriors are not noted for cleverness or bravery. Therefore their victories in battle are not flukes. Their victories are not flukes because they position themselves where they will surely win, prevailing over those wh

So the important thing in a military operation is victory, not persistence.

Of all those in the army close to the commander none is more intimate than the secret agent; of all rewards none more liberal than those given to secret agents; of all matters none is more confidential than those relating to secret operations.

It is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general who will use the highest intelligence of the army for the purposes of spying, and thereby they achieve great results.

The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses makes but few calculations beforehand.

In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy’s country whole and intact; to shatter and destroy it is not so good.

The skilful employer of men will employ the wise man, the brave man, the covetous man, and the stupid man.

According to my assessment, even if you have many more troops than others, how can that help you to victory?

One who sets the entire army in motion to chase an advantage will not attain it.

Opportunities multiply as they are seized.

Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent’s fate.

For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.

There are not more than five primary colors (blue, yellow, red, white, and black), yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever been seen.

if you fight with all your might, there is a chance of life; where as death is certain if you cling to your corner

The spot where we intend to fight must not be made known; for then the enemy will have to prepare against a possible attack at several different points;

At first, then, exhibit the coyness of a maiden, until the enemy gives you an opening; afterwards emulate the rapidity of a running hare, and it will be too late for the enemy to oppose you.

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. With his forces intact he disputes the mastery of the emp

If you do not take opportunity to advance and reward the deserving, your subordinates will not carry out your commands, and disaster will ensue.

Never venture, never win!

Can you imagine what I would do if I could do all I can?

The opportunity to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.

These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand.

Conceal your dispositions, and your condition will remain secret, which leads to victory; show your dispositions, and your condition will become patent, which leads to defeat.

To see victory only when it is within the ken of the common herd is not the acme of excellence.

The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy’s not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him; not on the chance of his not attacking, but rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable.

Plan for what it is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small.

Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win

Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing.

If we wish to fight, the enemy can be forced to an engagement even though he be sheltered behind a high rampart and a deep ditch. All we need do is attack some other place that he will be obliged to relieve.

Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted.

Be where your enemy is not.

When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.

All war is based on deception.

Therefore a victorious army first wins and then seeks battle; a defeated army first battles and then seeks victory.

Thus, what enables the wise sovereign and the good general to strike and conquer, and achieve things beyond the reach of ordinary men, is foreknowledge.

Appear at points which the enemy must hasten to defend; march swiftly to places where you are not expected.

Therefore the clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy’s will to be imposed on him.

Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.

Ground on which we can only be saved from destruction by fighting without delay, is desperate ground.

The principle on which to manage an army is to set up one standard of courage which all must reach.

If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles.

The art of giving orders is not to try to rectify the minor blunders and not to be swayed by petty doubts.

You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked.

the worst calamities that befall an army arise from hesitation

Whether in an advantageous position or a disadvantageous one, the opposite state should be always present to your mind.

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

When your army has crossed the border, you should burn your boats and bridges, in order to make it clear to everybody that you have no hankering after home.

If he sends reinforcements everywhere, he will everywhere be weak.

Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will.