The Supreme Art Of War Is To Subdue The Enemy

Supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.

Ultimate excellence lies not in winning every battle, but in defeating the enemy without ever fighting.

The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.

The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.

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

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.