“If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him.”

Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.

Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.

He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.

Know thy self, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories.

The art of war is of vital importance to the State.

The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.

Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.

In war, then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns.