If not in the interests of the state, do not act. If you cannot succeed, do not use troops. If you are not in danger, do not fight.

Ultimate excellence lies not in winning every battle, but in defeating the enemy without ever fighting.

Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.

There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard.There are not more than five primary colors, yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever been seen.There are not more than five cardinal tastes, yet combinations of them yield more flavors than can ever be tasted.

Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.

The general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand. Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat: how much more no calculation at all! It is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose.

Be where your enemy is not.