The wise win before they fight, while the ignorant fight to win.

To overcome the intelligent by folly is contrary to the natural order of things; to overcome the foolish by intelligence is in accord with the natural order. To overcome the intelligent by intelligence, however, is a matter of opportunity.

First organize the inner, then organize the outer ... First organize the great, then organize the small. First organize yourself, and then organize others.

The loss of any army is always caused by underestimating the enemy. Therefore gather information and watch the enemy carefully.

Nothing is harder to see into thanpeoples nature. The sage looks at subtle phenomena and listens tosmall voices. This harmonizes the outside with the inside and the inside with the outside.

Detach from emotions and desires; get rid of any fixations.

The wise win before they fight, while the ignorant fight to win.