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

Those who excel in war first cultivate their own humanity and and maintain their laws and institutions. By these means they make their governments invincible.

O divine art of subtlety and secrecy!

Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.

Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night.

Nothing is more difficult than the art of maneuver. What is difficult about maneuver is to make the devious route the most direct and to turn misfortune to advantage.

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