Generally, in war the best policy is to take a state intact; to ruin it is inferior to this. To capture the enemy’s entire army is better than to destroy it; to take intact a regiment, a company, or a squad is better than to destroy it. For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the supreme excellence. Those skilled in war subdue the enemy’s army without battle.
The art of using troops is this—When ten to the enemy’s one, surround him. When five times his strength, attack him. If equally matched, you may engage with some good plan. If weaker, be capable of withdrawing. And if in all respects unequal, be capable of eluding him.
Know you enemy and know yourself, and in a hundred battles you will never be defeated. When you are ignorant of the enemy but know yourself, your chances of winning or losing are equal. Of ignorant both of your enemy and of yourself, you are sure to be defeated in very battle.
He who occupies the field of battle first and awaits his enemy is at ease, and he who comes later to the scene and rushes into the fight is weary. And therefore, those skilled in war bring the enemy to the field of battle and are not brought there by him. Thus, when the enemy is at ease, be able to tire him; when well fed, be able to starve him; when at rest, be able to make him more.
Analyze the enemy’s plans so that you will know his shortcomings as well as his strong points. Agitate him in order to ascertain the pattern of his movement. Lure him out to reveal his dispositions and to ascertain his position. Launch a probing attack in order to learn where his strength is a abundant and where deficient. It is according to the situation that plans are laid for victory, but the multitude does not comprehend this.