The skilful employer of men will employ the wise man, the brave man, the covetous man, and the stupid man.
When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.
Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain
If you know both yourself and your enemy, you can win a hundred battles without a single loss.
Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small. The difficult things in this world must be done while they are easy, the greatest things in the world must be done while they are still small. For this reason sages never do what is great, and this is why they achieve greatness.
Know thy enemy and know thy self and you will win a hundred battles.
He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.
Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared.
When torrential water tosses boulders, it is because of its momentum. When the strike of a hawk breaks the body of its prey, it is because of timing.
Rewards for good service should not be deferred a single day.
In war, practice dissimulation and you will succeed.
Those who do not know the plans of competitors cannot prepare alliances. Those who do not know the lay of the land cannot maneuver their forces. Those who do not use local guides cannot take advantage of the ground.
Military tactics are like unto water; for water in its natural course runs away from high places and hastens downwards... 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. Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions. He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be called a heaven-born captain.
If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight.
Like the sun and moon, they end but to begin anew; like the four seasons, they pass away to return once more.
So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak.
Agitate him and ascertain the pattern of his movement.
The value of time, that is of being a little ahead of your opponent, often provides greater advantage than superior numbers or greater resources.
Be subtle! be subtle! and use your spies for every kind of business.
He who knows things, and in fighting puts his knowledge into practice, will win his battles. He who knows them not, nor practices them, will surely be defeated.
The good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy.
When strong, avoid them. If of high morale, depress them. Seem humble to fill them with conceit. If at ease, exhaust them. If united, separate them. Attack their weaknesses. Emerge to their surprise.
In war, numbers alone confer no advantage. Do not advance relying on sheer military power.
What is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy's strategy.
So a military force has no constant formation, water has no constant shape: the ability to gain victory by changing and adapting according to the opponent is called genius.
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