“Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win”

“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.”

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

“In war, then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns.”

“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.”

“To win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.”

“The wise warrior avoids the battle.”