Sun Tzu

The opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

What is of the greatest importance in war is extraordinary speed: One cannot afford to neglect opportunity.

Hiding order beneath the cloak of disorder is simply a question of subdivision; concealing courage under a show of timidity presupposes a fund of latent energy; masking strength with weakness is to be effected by tactical dispositions.

If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight.

There are roads which must not be followed, armies which must not be attacked, towns which must not be besieged, positions which must not be contested, commands of the sovereign which must not be obeyed.

The enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution.

The end and aim of spying in all its five varieties is knowledge of the enemy; and this knowledge can only be derived, in the first instance, from the converted spy. Hence it is essential that the converted spy be treated with the utmost liberality.

So there are five ways of knowing who will win. Those who know when to fight and when not to fight are victorious. Those who discern when to use many or few troops are victorious. Those whose upper and lower ranks have the same desire are victorious.

Order or disorder depends on organisation and direction; courage or cowardice on circumstances; strength or weakness on tactical dispositions.

Nothing is more difficult than the art of maneuvering for advantageous positions.

It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war that can thoroughly understand the profitable way of carrying it on.

Invincibility lies in the defense; the possibility of victory in the attack.

All warfare is based on deception. There is no place where espionage is not used. Offer the enemy bait to lure him.

Hence that general is skilful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skilful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.

Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to the releasing of a trigger.

According to my assessment, even if you have many more troops than others, how can that help you to victory?

Those who are victorious plan effectively and change decisively. They are like a great river that maintains its course but adjusts its flow.

Sweat more during peace: bleed less during war

The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.

The true objective of war is peace.

Management of many is the same as management of few. It is a matter of organization.