Swift as the wind. Quiet as the forest. Conquer like the fire. Steady as the mountain
Know the enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles you will never peril.
All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.
Every battle is won before it is fought.
Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision.
To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.