First learn to become invincible, then wait for your enemy's moment of vulnerability.

He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces.

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

First learn to become invincible, then wait for your enemy's moment of vulnerability.

If those who are sent to draw water begin by drinking themselves, the army is suffering from thirst.

Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small. The difficult things in this world must be done while they are easy, the greatest things in the world must be done while they are still small. For this reason sages never do what is great, and this is why they achieve greatness.

Military tactics are like unto water; for water in its natural course runs away from high places and hastens downwards... Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing. Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions. He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be called a heaven-born captain.