“Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and you know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and you know Earth, you may make your victory complete.”
“If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles.”
“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 may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. If sovereign and subject are in accord, put division between them. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected .”
“When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move.”
“To know your enemy, you must become your enemy.”
“Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across.”
“Supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy’s strategy.”
“Thus the expert in battle moves the enemy, and is not moved by him.”
“For 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.“
“Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder and crush him.”
“Be where your enemy is not.”
“If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.”
“Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared.”