Qi Jiguang

"The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is the means upon which the State depends for its preservation."

"All warfare is based on deception."

"Know yourself and know your enemy; in a hundred battles, you will never be defeated."

"The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting."

"Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win."

"If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles."

"Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak."

"The greatest victory is that which requires no battle."

"In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity."

"A man who conquers himself is greater than one who conquers a thousand men in battle."

"Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat."

"The wise adapt themselves to circumstances, as water moulds itself to the pitcher."

"When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them."

"Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment."

"The greatest warrior is one who can control his own mind."

"Opportunities multiply as they are seized."

"Do not despise your enemy. Even a tiny sparrow can bring down a mighty eagle."

"Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer."

"A clever fighter breaks the enemy's resistance without fighting."

"The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim."

"Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across."

"One need not destroy one's enemy. An understanding is far better."

"The skillful fighter puts himself into a position which makes defeat impossible, and then waits for an opportunity to defeat the enemy."

"In the army, there are but two sorts of officers - the quick and the dead."

"Patience is not passive; on the contrary, it is concentrated strength."

"The supreme art of generalship is to take the enemy's town without using the army."

"A kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being."

"The moral law causes the people to be in harmony with their leaders, so that they will follow them anywhere, regardless of their lives, undismayed by any danger."

"He will win who has military stores and no waste."

"Fire is the means to ward off numerical superiority."