Sun Tzu

The appearance of a number of screens in the midst of thick grass means that the enemy wants to make us suspicious.

The skillful soldier does not raise a second levy, neither are his supply-wagons loaded more than twice.

In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory.

Ground on which we can only be saved from destruction by fighting without delay, is desperate ground.

Heaven signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons.

If the enemy is unprepared, you may sally forth and defeat him.

The good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision.

Ground which forms the key to three contiguous states, is a ground of intersecting highways.

In war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak.

Simulated disorder postulates perfect discipline, simulated fear postulates courage; simulated weakness postulates strength.

When you capture new territory, cut it up into allotments for the benefit of the soldiery.

It is a military axiom not to advance uphill against the enemy, nor to oppose him when he comes downhill.

It is owing to his information, again, that we can cause the doomed spy to carry false tidings to the enemy.

If the enemy sees an advantage to be gained and makes no effort to secure it, the soldiers are exhausted.

If a general shows confidence in his men but always insists on his orders being obeyed.

Security against defeat implies defensive tactics; ability to defeat the enemy means taking the offensive.

If we are able to attack an inferior force with a superior one, our opponents will be in dire straits.

Mountain forests, rugged steeps, marshes and fens-all country that is hard to traverse: this is difficult ground.

The captured soldiers should be kindly treated and kept.

Carefully compare the opposing army with your own, so that you may know where strength is superabundant and where it is deficient.