He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.

Of all rewards none [is] more liberal than those given to secret agents.

One who has few must prepare against the enemy; one who has many makes the enemy prepare against him.

Wait by the river long enough and the body of your enemy will float by you.

The skillful tactician may be likened to the shuai-jan. Now the shuai-jan is a snake that is found in the Ch'ang mountains. Strike at its head, and you will be attacked by its tail; strike at its tail, and you will be attacked by its head; strike at its middle, and you will be attacked by head and tail both.

Whoever is the first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy will be fresh for the fight... Therefore the clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy... By holding out advantages to him, he can cause the enemy to approach of his own accord; or by inflicting damage, he can make it impossible for the enemy to draw near.

When the position is such that neither side will gain by making the first move, it is called temporising ground.