Passage 3-7
故善用兵者, 屈人之兵而非戰也; 拔人之城而非攻也; 毁人之國而非久也.
The master of war subdues the enemy’s forces without battle, takes their fortresses without assault, and destroys their state without prolonged campaigns.
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These passages from other chapters connect to the themes in Passage 3-7:
Terrain as Ally
Passage 10-14
故戰道必勝, 主曰無戰; 必戰可也. 戰道不勝, 主曰必戰,...
The General as Guardian
Passage 2-12
故兵貴勝, 不貴久. 故知兵之將, 民之司命, 國家安危之主...
The Seven Comparisons
Passage 1-8
凡此五者, 將莫不聞, 知之者勝, 不知者不勝.
Insubordination
Passage 10-9
夫勢均, 以一擊十, 曰走. 卒强吏弱, 曰弛. 吏强卒弱,...
Collapse
Passage 10-10
大吏怒而不服, 遇敵懟而自戰, 將不知其能, 曰崩.
Do Not Press a Cornered Enemy
Passage 7-15
故用兵之法, 高陵勿向, 背丘勿逆, 佯北勿從, 銳卒勿攻,...