A military operation involves deception. Even though you are competent, appear to be incompetent. Though effective, appear to be ineffective.

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.

Appear at points where the enemy must move quickly to defend; move quickly to places where you are not expected. An army may march great distances without distress if it marches through country where the enemy is not.

Be extremely subtle, to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent’s fate.

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.

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

If our soldiers are not overburdened with money, it is not because they have a distaste for riches; if their lives are not unduly long, it is not because they are disinclined to longevity.

If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles.

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.