The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.
Pretend to be weak, so your enemy may grow arrogant.
One need not destroy one's enemy. One need only destroy his willingness to engage.
To conquer the enemy without resorting to war is the most desirable. The highest form of generalship is to conquer the enemy by strategy.
The opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
Therefore the skillful leader subdues the enemy's troops without any fighting; he captures their cities without laying siege to them; he overthrows their kingdom without lengthy operations in the field.
Wait by the river long enough and the body of your enemy will float by you.