"Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak."
"The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting."
"Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt."
"The greatest victory is that which requires no battle."
"There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare."
"Treat your men as you would your own beloved sons. And they will follow you into the deepest valley."
"Move swift as the Wind and closely-formed as the Wood. Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain."
"So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak."
"What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease."
"The whole secret lies in confusing the enemy, so that he cannot fathom our real intent."
"Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected."
"Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster."
"Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions."
"Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will."
“If those who are sent to draw water begin by drinking themselves, the army is suffering from thirst. [One may know the condition of a whole army from the behavior of a single man.]”
"You can be sure of succeeding in your attacks if you only attack places which are undefended.You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked."