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.
Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no escape, and they will prefer death to flight. If they will face death, there is nothing they may not achieve.
When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move.
Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to the releasing of a trigger.
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.
The value of time, that is of being a little ahead of your opponent, often provides greater advantage than superior numbers or greater resources.
One defends when his strength is inadequate, he attacks when it is abundant.
Confront them with annihilation, and they will then survive; plunge them into a deadly situation, and they will then live. When people fall into danger, they are then able to strive for victory.
Rapidity is the essence of war: take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots.
The essential factor of military success is speed, that is taking advantage of others' unpreparedness or lack of foresight, their failure to catch up, going by routes they do not expect, attacking where they are not on guard. This you cannot accomplish with hesitation.
Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.
If you are situated at a great distance from the enemy, and the strength of the two armies is equal, it is not easy to provoke a battle, and fighting will be to your disadvantage.
If you are far from the enemy, make him believe you are near.
Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions.
Weak leadership can wreck the soundest strategy; forceful execution of even a poor plan can often bring victory.
Of all those in the army close to the commander, none is more intimate than the secret agent.
When the common soldiers are too strong and their officers too weak, the result is insubordination. When the officers are too strong and the common soldiers too weak, the result is collapse.
He who exercises no forethought but makes light of his opponents is sure to be captured by them.
When you know both yourself as well as your competition, you are never in danger. To know yourself and not others, gives you half a chance of winning. Knowing neither yourself or your competition puts you in a position to lose.
Move not unless you see an advantage; use not your troops unless there is something to be gained; fight not unless the position is critical.
Nothing is more difficult than the art of maneuvering for advantageous positions.
For the wise man delights in establishing his merit, the brave man likes to show his courage in action, the covetous man is quick at seizing advantages, and the stupid man has no fear of death.
Set the troops to their tasks without imparting your designs.
Like the sun and moon, they end but to begin anew; like the four seasons, they pass away to return once more.
To capture an enemies army is better than to destroy it.
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