What is of the greatest importance in war is extraordinary speed: One cannot afford to neglect opportunity.

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

If the enemy leaves a door open, you must rush in.

So there are five ways of knowing who will win. Those who know when to fight and when not to fight are victorious. Those who discern when to use many or few troops are victorious. Those whose upper and lower ranks have the same desire are victorious.

Those who are victorious plan effectively and change decisively. They are like a great river that maintains its course but adjusts its flow.

Invincibility depends on one's self; the enemy's vulnerability on him.

Quickness is the essence of the war.