The value of time, that is of being a little ahead of your opponent, often provides greater advantage than superior numbers or greater resources.

Opportunities increase as they are taken.

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

Do not engage an enemy more powerful than you. And if it is unavoidable and you do have to engage, then make sure you engage it on your terms, not on your enemy's terms.

To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.

Therefore the skillful leader subdues the enemy's troops without any fighting; he captures their cities without laying siege to them; he overthrows their kingdom without lengthy operations in the field.

Know the enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles you will never peril.