The essential factor of military success is speed, that is taking advantage of others' unpreparedness or lack of foresight, their failure to catch up, going by routes they do not expect, attacking where they are not on guard. This you cannot accomplish with hesitation.

When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears, they are faint from want of food.

Attack is the secret of defense; defense is the planning of an attack.

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

Against those skilled in attack, an enemy does not know where to defend; against the experts in defense, the enemy does not know where to attack.

The true objective of war is peace.

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