The Art of War

"Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to the releasing of a trigger"

"Confusion and fighting spirits in the midst of the host are always beginnings of victory"

"The army that arrives first at the field of battle will rest and await the enemy in comfort"

"A wise general ensures his supplies are secure before engaging in battle"

"The key to victory is in understanding the terrain and the weather"

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

"All men can see the tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved"

"Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat"

"To win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill"

"The supreme commander of forces must understand the psychology of the enemy"

"Move swift as the Wind and closely-formed as the Wood. Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain"

"Disciplined and calm, to await the appearance of disorder and clamour amongst the enemy"

"When the enemy is at ease, be ready; when well-supplied, starve them; when at peace, harass them"

"The general who wins a hundred battles is not supreme; supreme is the general who takes the enemy's city without firing a shot"

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

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

"Victory is determined by the side that has the advantage in terrain"

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

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

"All warfare is based on deception"

"The supreme consideration in war is to attack the enemy's strategy."

"Preparation and timing are the two pillars of military success."

"He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight."

"Profound knowledge is found in stillness, not in motion."

"The art of war is governed by five constant factors."

"Place your army in circumstances of double advantage, and it cannot be defeated."

"Maneuvering with an army is advantageous; with an undisciplined multitude, most dangerous."

"Know the ground, know the weather, know yourself, know your enemy."

"Before engagement, calculate; after engagement, reflect."

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