"Be subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you may be the director of the enemy's fate."

"Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him."

"Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing."

"If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory complete."

"The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him; not on the chance of his not attacking, but rather on the fact that we have …"