Sun Tzu

A leader leads by example not by force.

It is the rule in war, if ten times the enemy's strength, surround them; if five times, attack them; if double, be able to divide them; if equal, engage them; if fewer, defend against them; if weaker, be able to avoid them.

What is essential in war is victory, not prolonged operations.

Generally in war the best policy is to take a state intact; to ruin it is inferior to this.

He whose ranks are united in purpose will be victorious.

When I have won a victory I do not repeat my tactics but respond to circumstances in an infinite variety of ways.

He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.

Attack where he is unprepared; sally forth when he does not expect you.

One who has few must prepare against the enemy; one who has many makes the enemy prepare against him.

It is the business of a general to be serene and inscrutable, impartial and self-controlled.

One who sets the entire army in motion to chase an advantage will not attain it.

The General who in advancing does not seek personal fame, and in withdrawing is not concerned with avoiding punishment, but whose only purpose is to protect the people and promote the best interests of his sovereign, is the precious jewel of the state.

Unless you know the mountains and the forests, the defiles and impasses, the lay of the marshes and swamps, you cannot maneuver with an armed force. Unless you use local guides, you cannot get the advantages of the land.

Be the first to seize intersecting ground, that is ground which lies the intersections of borders or intersections of main thoroughfares of commerce and travel. Your occupation of it gives you access to all who border it and all who would covet it. On intersecting ground, if you establish alliances you are safe, if you lose alliances you are in peril.

Thus, though I have heard of successful military operations that were clumsy but swift, cleverness has never been seen associated with long delays.

One mark of a great soldier is that he fight on his own terms or fights not at all.

The Art of War is self-explanatory

The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.

Rewards for good service should not be deferred a single day.

When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.

If the mind is willing, the flesh could go on and on without many things.