Those skilled in attack move as from above the nine-fold heavens. Thus they are capable both of protecting themselves and of gaining complete victory.
It is imperative to contest all factions for complete victory, so the army is not garrisoned and the profit can be total. This is the law of strategic siege.
Apparent confusion is a product of good order; apparent cowardice, of courage; apparent weakness, of strength.
In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory.
The relative size of your force as against that of your adversary is by itself of no consequence. What controls is the relative size of your force at the point where you join in battle. You can strike with the few and be many if you strike your adversary in his gaps. Seek out places where the defense is not strict, the place not tightly guarded, the generals weak, the troops disorderly, the supplies are scarce and the forces are isolated.
He whose ranks are united in purpose will be victorious.
If I am able to determine the enemy's dispositions while at the same time I conceal my own, then I can concentrate and he must divide.
There has never been a protracted war from which a country has benefitted.
The consummate leader cultivates the moral law, and strictly adheres to method and discipline; thus it is in his power to control success.
Now a soldier's spirit is keenest in the morning; by noonday it has begun to flag; and in the evening, his mind is only on returning to camp.
The natural formation of the country is the soldier's best ally
When he pretends to flee, do not pursue.
The general that hearkens to my counsel and acts upon it, will conquer: let such a one be retained in command! The general that hearkens not to my counsel nor acts upon it, will suffer defeat: - let such a one be dismissed!
Bestow rewards without respect to customary practice; publish orders without respect to precedent. Thus you may employ the entire army as you would one man.
O divine art of subtlety and secrecy!
Therefore, to estimate the enemy situation and to calculate distances and the degree of difficulty of the terrain so as to control victory are virtues of the superior general.
The skillful leader subdues the enemy's troops without any fighting.
Maneuvering with an army is advantageous; with an undisciplined multitude, most dangerous.
The enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution.
War is a matter of vital importance to the state; the province of life or death; the road to survival or ruin. It is mandatory that it be thoroughly studied.
The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy. To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. Thus the good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy.
Someone unfamiliar with the mountains and forests cannot advance [the team]. One who does not employ local guides cannot gain the advantage.
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; and his forces being thus distributed in many directions, the numbers we shall have to face at any given point will be proportionately few.
Nothing is more difficult than the art of maneuver. What is difficult about maneuver is to make the devious route the most direct and to turn misfortune to advantage.
They [spies] cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straightforwardness.
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