Know thy self, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories.

It is the business of a general to be quiet and thus ensure secrecy; upright and just, and thus maintain order.

All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.

Victory comes from finding opportunities in problems.

What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease.

We cannot enter into alliance with neighbouring princes until we are acquainted with their designs. We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country - its mountains and forests, its pitfalls and precipices, its marshes and swamps. We shall be unable to turn natural advantages to account unless we make use of local guides.

If it is to your advantage, make a forward move; if not, stay where you are.