Chapter 3 introduces the central notion of "taking whole," whereby one "subdues the other's military without battle." Thus it remarks:

Taking a state whole is superior.
Destroying it is inferior to this.

It also emphasizes the primacy of knowledge. Thus:

Knowing the other and knowing oneself,
In one hundred battles no danger.
Not knowing the other and knowing oneself,
One victory for one loss.
Not knowing the other and not knowing oneself,
In every battle certain defeat.