“You can be sure of succeeding in your attacks if you only attack places which are undefended.”

“You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked.”

“Convince your enemy that he will gain very little by attacking you; this will diminish his enthusiasm”

“The skillful tactician may be likened to the shuai-jan. Now the shuai-jan is a snake that is found in the Ch'ang mountains. Strike at its head, and you will be attacked by its tail; strike at its tail, and you will be attacked by its head; strike at its middle, and you will be attacked by head and tail both.”

“Attack is the secret of defense; defense is the planning of an attack.”

“Unhappy is the fate of one who tries to win his battles and succeed in his attacks without cultivating the spirit of enterprise;  for the result is waste of time and   general stagnation.”

“Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.”