Attack where he is unprepared; sally forth when he does not expect you.

There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard.There are not more than five primary colors, yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever been seen.There are not more than five cardinal tastes, yet combinations of them yield more flavors than can ever be tasted.

Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night.

Thus we may know that there are five essentials for victory: He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight. He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces. He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks. He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared. He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign.

Know the enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles you will never peril.

The successful person has unusual skill at dealing with conflict and ensuring the best outcome for all.

A military operation involves deception. Even though you are competent, appear to be incompetent. Though effective, appear to be ineffective.