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.

The dance of battle is always played to the same impatient rhythm. What begins in a surge of violent motion is always reduced to the perfectly still.

Confront them with annihilation, and they will then survive; plunge them into a deadly situation, and they will then live. When people fall into danger, they are then able to strive for victory.

When your opponent gives you an opening, be swift as a hare.

It is more important to outhink your enemy, than to outfight him

And regulation entails organizational effectiveness, a chain of command, and a structure for logistical support.

Generally in war the best policy is to take a state intact; to ruin it is inferior to this.