Sun Tzu

If his forces are united, separate them.

To remain at rest when the enemy is in movement, this is the art of war.

When strong, appear weak. When weak, appear strong.

If a battle is to be fought, it must be fought quickly.

It is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general who will use the highest intellect of the army for the purposes of spying, and thereby they achieve great results.

The general who has no skill in strategy will be defeated.

To see victory only when it is within the ken of the common herd is not the acme of excellence.

When you are ignorant of the enemy's plans, you cannot prepare for them.

The greatest general is one who can achieve victory without ever having to draw his sword.

Be subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you may be the director of the enemy's fate.

If your opponent is of choleric temperament, seek to irritate him.

The only way to win is to make the enemy think you are not there.

All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.

Never venture, never win!

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

The general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand.

Engage people with what they expect; it is what they are able to discern and what is to their advantage.

The opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

There are not more than five primary colors, yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever be seen.

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