One mark of a great soldier is that he fight on his own terms or fights not at all.

What is of the greatest importance in war is extraordinary speed: One cannot afford to neglect opportunity.

Pretend to be weak, so your enemy may grow arrogant.

Hence the experienced soldier, once in motion, is never bewildered; once he has broken camp, he is never at a loss.

One need not destroy one's enemy. One need only destroy his willingness to engage.

All wars are won or lost before they are ever fought.

As water has no constant form, there are in war no constant conditions.