Conform to the enemy’s tactics until a favorable opportunity offers; then come forth and engage in a battle that shall prove decisive.

If his forces are united, separate them.

The ultimate in disposing one’s troops is to be without ascertainable shape. Then the most penetrating spies cannot pry in nor can the wise lay plans against you.

Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the Attack.

Supreme excellence in warfare consists of subduing the enemy without fighting.

Standing on the defensive indicates insufficient strength; attacking, a superabundance of strength.

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

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

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

He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.

If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is temperamental, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he...

Engage people with what they expect; it is what they are able to discern and confirms their projections. It settles them into predictable patterns of response, occupying their minds while you wait for the extraordinary...

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.

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

Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.

Now the reason the enlightened prince and the wise general conquer the enemy whenever they move and their achievements surpass those of ordinary men is foreknowledge.

There are roads which must not be followed, armies which must not be attacked, towns which must not be besieged, positions which must not be contested, commands of the sovereign which must not be obeyed.

Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating ourselves to the enemy’s purpose.

who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits

He who exercises no forethought but makes light of his opponents is sure to be captured by them.

If you are far from the enemy, make him believe you are near.

All war is based on deception.

Do not swallow bait offered by the enemy. Do not interfere with an army that is returning home.

If there is disturbance in the camp, the general’s authority is weak. 

Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.

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...

If ignorant both of your enemy and yourself, you are certain to be in peril.

To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy.

If soldiers are punished before they have grown attached to you, they will not prove submissive;and, unless submissive, then will be practically useless. If, when the soldiers have become attachedto you, punishments are not enforced,...

If we wish to wrest an advantage from the enemy, we must not fix our minds on that alone, but allow for the possibility of the enemy also doing some harm to us, and let...

The art of war is the art of deception.

So there are five ways of knowing who will win. Those who know when to fight and when not to fight are victorious. Those who discern when to use many or few troops are victorious....

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

Attack is the secret of defense; defense is the planning of an attack.

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

do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat

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...

Thus, what is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy’s strategy.

All warfare is based on deception.