Go into emptiness, strike voids, bypass what he defends hit him where he does not expect you.
When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move.
Generally, management of many is the same as management of few. It is a matter of organization. And to control many is the same as to control few. This is a matter of formations and signals.
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.
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.
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.
Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to the releasing of a trigger.
To capture an enemies army is better than to destroy it.
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.
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.
The value of time, that is of being a little ahead of your opponent, often provides greater advantage than superior numbers or greater resources.
Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.
Rapidity is the essence of war: take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots.
One defends when his strength is inadequate, he attacks when it is abundant.
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.
Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions.
He who exercises no forethought but makes light of his opponents is sure to be captured by them.
Weak leadership can wreck the soundest strategy; forceful execution of even a poor plan can often bring victory.
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.
Nothing is more difficult than the art of maneuvering for advantageous positions.
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.
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.
In war, practice dissimulation and you will succeed.
The best general is the one who never fights.
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