Sun Tzu

"To understand strategy, one must first understand deception."

"In the calculations of advantage lie the seeds of victory or defeat."

"A good plan executed now is better than a perfect plan executed too late."

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

"Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength."

"The ancient Samurai understood that victory comes to those who surrender the need to fight."

"A thousand battles won without loss is not as impressive as preventing the battle entirely."

"The greatest success is achieved through the smallest expenditure of force."

"He who understands himself and his enemy will never be afraid."

"The art of war lies in the ability to perceive what is hidden and sense what is not yet manifested."

"A warrior's strength lies not in his sword, but in his understanding of when to use it."

"To win without fighting is the highest achievement of strategy."

"The opportune moment is the warrior's greatest advantage."

"One who knows when he can fight and when he cannot will be victorious."

"The art of war is the foundation of all military leadership."

"A commander in battle is like a wheel; the center must be firm, yet allow movement around it."

"To command men, command yourself first."

"The warrior who has mastered timing masters all things."

"In the end, it is not the warrior with the largest army who wins, but the one with the clearest mind."

"Deception is a tool, not a character flaw, in matters of strategy."

"The greatest generals are those who understand human nature."

"A small force committed fully will overcome a large force divided."

"The art of successful warfare is knowing when not to fight."

"A wise general ensures the conditions of victory before engaging in battle."

"Those who excel at warfare create chaos, not order."

"The greatest strength is to be utterly unmoved by the enemy's provocations."

"One who wins battles before they are fought has mastered the art of war."

"Adapt to your circumstances like water adapts to its vessel."

"The measure of a leader is not how many battles he wins, but how few lives are lost."

"To fail to understand the importance of strategy is to fail to understand the importance of life."