Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every move.

Opportunities multiply as they are seized.

It is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general who will use the highest intelligence of the army for the purposes of spying, and thereby they achieve great results.

If you are far from the enemy, make him believe you are near.

Hence that general is skilful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skilful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.

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

He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.

For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.

For them to perceive the advantage of defeating the enemy, they must also have their rewards.

The skillful employer of men will employ the wise man, the brave man, the covetous man, and the stupid man.

Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every move.

Opportunities multiply as they are seized.

Now the reason the enlightened prince and the wise general conquer the enemy whenever they move and their achievements surpass those of ordinary men is foreknowledge.

Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster.

Know thy self, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories.

It is essential to seek out enemy agents who have come to conduct espionage against you and to bribe them to serve you. Give them instructions and care for them. Thus doubled agents are recruited and used.

Invincibility lies in the defense; the possibility of victory in the attack.

If you are far from the enemy, make him believe you are near.

Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemys resistance without fighting.

For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.