“The skilled leader subdues enemy troops without any fighting, captures cities without laying siege, and overthrows kingdoms without lengthy field operations.”

“If you know your enemy and yourself, you need not fear the result of one hundred battles. If you know yourself but not your enemy, for every victory won there will be a defeat. If you know neither your enemy nor yourself, you will lose every battle.”

“The warriors of old first made themselves impervious to attack, and then waited for the opportunity to defeat their enemies. To secure ourselves against the defeat lies in our own hands. The opportunity to defeat the enemy is provided by the enemy themselves. The good leader is able to protect himself from defeat but cannot necessarily defeat the enemy.”

“Attack only those places which are not defended. Defend only those places that cannot be attacked. In wartime, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak.”