“He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.”

“He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.”

“Thus we may know that there are five essentials for victory: 1 He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight. 2 He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces.3 He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks. 4 He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared. 5 He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign.”

“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.”

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory complete.”

“Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack.”

“If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.”