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

And therefore those skilled in war bring the enemy to the field of battle and are not brought there by him.

When you are ignorant of the enemy but know yourself, your chances of winning or losing are equal.

The opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

It is through the dispositions of an army that its condition may be discovered. Conceal your dispositions, and your condition will remain secret, which leads to victory,; show your dispositions, and your condition will become patent, which leads to defeat.

Victory comes from finding opportunities in problems.

There is no instance of a nation benefiting from prolonged warfare.