A kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life. |
A military operation involves deception. Even though you are competent, appear to be incompetent. Though effective, appear to be ineffective. |
A wise general makes a point of foraging of the enemy. |
According to my assessment, even if you have many more troops than others, how can that help you to victory? |
All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved. |
All war is deception. |
All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near. |
Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent's fate. |
Can you imagine what I would do if I could do all I can? |
Can you imagine what I would do if I could do all I can? |
Confront them with annihilation, and they will then survive; plunge them into a deadly situation, and they will then live. When people fall into danger, they are then able to strive for victory. |
defeat the enemies strategy |
Do not press an enemy at bay. |
For them to perceive the advantage of defeating the enemy, they must also have their rewards. |
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. |