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

Don't flail against the world, use it. Flexibility is the operative principle in the art of war.

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

By altering his arrangements and changing his plans, the skillful general keeps the enemy without definite knowledge. By shifting his camp and taking circuitous routes, he prevents the enemy from anticipating his purpose. At the critical moment, the leader of an army acts like one who has climbed up a height and then kicks away the ladder behind him.

Those who excel in war first cultivate their own humanity and and maintain their laws and institutions. By these means they make their governments invincible.

You can prevent your opponent from defeating you through defense, but you cannot defeat him without taking the offensive.

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.