Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted.

Ponder and deliberate before you make your move. He will conquer who has learned the artifice of deviation. Such is the art of maneuvering.

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

If ignorant both of your enemy and yourself, you are certain to be in peril.

Weak leadership can wreck the soundest strategy; forceful execution of even a poor plan can often bring victory.

A military operation involves deception. Even though you are competent, appear to be incompetent. Though effective, appear to be ineffective.

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.