Emphasize defense and avoid initiating war lightly. Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated. A skilled warrior establishes an invincible position first, then seeks opportunities for victory.
Strive to subdue the enemy without fighting. Use wisdom and strategy to win, avoiding the use of force whenever possible. Using strategy to prevent war is the best approach.
The interplay of emptiness and fullness seizes opportunities. The defending side should avoid exposing weaknesses, while the attacking side is prone to revealing flaws. When the enemy shows signs of failure, strike decisively.
Swift and decisive battles avoid attrition warfare. The battlefield situation changes rapidly; seize the moment to achieve quick victory.
Use troops like water: avoid countercurrents and follow favorable flows. Adapt flexibly and strike where the enemy is unprepared.
Do not corner an army with no retreat; an army with no way out is most dangerous. Leave room for maneuver to prevent provoking a desperate counterattack.
Use spies to gather enemy intelligence and prioritize information collection. Guard against enemy spies and maintain secrecy in defense.
Benevolence and righteousness alone cannot ensure victory; victory must be achieved through wisdom and strategy. Pragmatism prevails over personal emotions and morality.
Common Strategies
Spy Strategy: Use spies to collect enemy intelligence, including local spies, traitors, counter-spies, suicide spies, and returning spies.
False Information Strategy: Spread false intelligence to confuse the enemy.
Divide and Conquer Strategy: Spread rumors within the enemy ranks to create discord and sow division.
Blockade Strategy: Cut off enemy supply lines and block their retreat routes.
Provocation Strategy: Incite internal strife within the enemy forces to cause self-inflicted chaos.
Exhaustion Strategy: Force the enemy into excessive fatigue to weaken their combat effectiveness.
Lure the Tiger Away from the Mountain Strategy: Feign weakness to lure the enemy's main force deep into your territory, drawing them away from their base.
Borrow a Knife to Kill Strategy: When the enemy has a poor commander, avoid disturbing them and let them defeat themselves.
Besiege Wei to Rescue Zhao Strategy: Attack the enemy's vital rear areas to force them to retreat and defend.
Retreat as the Best Strategy: When facing an unbeatable enemy, know when to retreat to preserve strength.
Counter-Espionage and Eliminate Generals Strategy: Use counter-espionage to neutralize enemy generals, depriving them of command.
Take Advantage of the Fire to Rob Strategy: Attack when the enemy is in internal turmoil.
Beauty Trap Strategy: Use beautiful women to迷惑 the enemy commander.
Empty Fort Strategy: Feign weak defenses to lure the enemy deep into your territory.