Hence the skilful fighter puts himself into a position which makes defeat impossible, and does not miss the moment for defeating the enemy.
Having local spies means employing the services of the inhabitants of a district.
If you march thirty li with the same object, two-thirds of your army will arrive.
He burns his boats and breaks his cooking-pots; like a shepherd driving a flock of sheep, he drives his men this way and that, and none knows whither he is going.
Surviving spies, finally, are those who bring back news from the enemy’s camp.
That the impact of your army may be like a grindstone dashed against an egg—this is effected by the science of weak points and strong.
Sun Tzŭ said: The control of a large force is the same principle as the control of a few men: it is merely a question of dividing up their numbers.
Sun Tzŭ said: We may distinguish six kinds of terrain, to wit: Accessible ground;
When the general is weak and without authority; when his orders are not clear and distinct;
Therefore the skilful leader subdues the enemy’s troops without any fighting; he captures their cities without laying siege to them; he overthrows their kingdom without lengthy operations in the field.
