“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.

He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.

He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot will be victorious.

Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.

Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across.

Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.

All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.

You can be sure of succeeding in your attacks if you only attack places which are undefended.