If I am able to determine the enemy's dispositions while at the same time I conceal my own, then I can concentrate and he must divide.

What enables the wise sovereign and the good general to strike and conquer, and achieve things beyond the reach of ordinary men, is foreknowledge.

If this is long delayed, weapons are blunted and morale depressed.

Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to the releasing of a trigger.

There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard.

You cannot know if you will be successful or not. You can only prepare for battle and it must be done with all of your heart and with all of your consciousness. In that manner, you will have an edge.

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.