If I determine the enemy's disposition of forces while I have no perceptible form, I can concentrate my forces while the enemy is fragmented. The pinnacle of military deployment approaches the formless: if it is formless, then even the deepest spy cannot discern it nor the wise make plans against it.

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

To a surrounded enemy, you must leave a way of escape.

If soldiers are punished before they have grown attached to you, they will not prove submissive; and, unless submissive, then will be practically useless. If, when the soldiers have become attached to you, punishments are not enforced, they will still be unless.

So the important thing in a military operation is victory, not persistence.

The skilful employer of men will employ the wise man, the brave man, the covetous man, and the stupid man.

In making tactical dispositions, the highest pitch you can attain is to conceal them.

All wars are won or lost before they are ever fought.

It is imperative to contest all factions for complete victory, so the army is not garrisoned and the profit can be total. This is the law of strategic siege.