The military has no constant form, just as water has no constant shape - adapt as you face the enemy, without letting them know beforehand what you are going to do.

There has never been a protracted war from which a country has benefitted.

Factors in the art of warfare are: First, calculations; second, quantities; third, logistics; fourth, the balance of power; and fifth, the possibility of victory is based on the balance of power.

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

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.

Without harmony in the State, no military expedition can be undertaken; without harmony in the army, no battle array can be formed.

Of old the expert in battle would first make himself invincible and then wait for his enemy to expose his vulnerability.