Those who are victorious plan effectively and change decisively. They are like a great river that maintains its course but adjusts its flow...they have form but are formless. They are skilled in both planning and adapting and need not fear the result of a thousand battles: for they win in advance, defeating those that have already lost.

If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight.

You can prevent your opponent from defeating you through defense, but you cannot defeat him without taking the offensive.

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.

No nation has ever benefited from a prolonged war.

When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears, they are faint from want of food.

Know thy self, know thy enemy.