Quickness is the essence of the war.

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

The enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution.

Bring war material with you from home, but forage on the enemy... use the conquered foe to augment one's own strength.

To perceive victory when it is known to all is not really skilful... It does not take much strength to lift a hair, it does not take sharp eyes to see the sun and moon, it does not take sharp ears to hear the thunderclap.

Hence that general is skilful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skilful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.

In making tactical dispositions, the highest pitch you can attain is to conceal them.