You Cannot Simultaneously Prevent And Prepare For

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

If ignorant both of your enemy and yourself, you are certain to be in peril.

Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding.

All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear 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.

There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.

When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.