The enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution.
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.
Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across.
Weak leadership can wreck the soundest strategy; forceful execution of even a poor plan can often bring victory.
Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night.
Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small.