“To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but theopportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.”

“Ultimate excellence lies not in winning every battle, but in defeating the enemy without ever fighting.”

“The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.”

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

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.”

“The whole secret lies in confusing the enemy, so that he cannot fathom our real intent.”

“Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating ourselves to the enemy's purpose.”