This does not mean that the enemy is to be allowed to escape. The object is to make him believe that there is a road to safety, and thus prevent his fighting with the courage of despair. After that, you may crush him.

All war is deception.

How can those who scorn God revere men?

All warfare is based on deception. There is no place where espionage is not used. Offer the enemy bait to lure him.

Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.

Appraise war in terms of the fundamental factors. The first of these factors is moral influence.

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

The best victory is when the opponent surrenders of its own accord before there are any actual hostilities...It is best to win without fighting.

Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.

High expectations are the key to everything.

There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.