“Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle, will arrive exhausted.”

The general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand.

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

Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.

He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot will be victorious.

In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.

In battle, there are not more than two methods of attack, the direct and the indirect; yet these two in combination give rise to an endless series of maneuvers.

Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing.

Military tactics are like unto water; for water in its natural course runs away from high places and hastens downwards.