“first lay plans which will ensure victory, and then lead your army to battle;  if you will not begin with stratagem but rely on brute strength alone, victory will no longer be assured”

“The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.”

“Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory is won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.”

“Conceal your dispositions, and your condition will remain secret, which leads to victory;  show your dispositions, and your condition will become patent, which leads to defeat.”

“These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand.”

“do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat”

“One hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the most skillful, subduing the other's military without battle is the most skillful.”