“There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard.”

Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack.

Hence that general is skilful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skilful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.

Opportunities multiply as they are seized.

One may know how to conquer without being able to do it.

Attack is the secret of defense; defense is the planning of an attack.

One mark of a great soldier is that he fight on his own terms or fights not at all.

Wheels of justice gind slow but grind fine.

There are roads which must not be followed, armies which must not be attacked, towns which must not be besieged, positions which must not be contested, commands of the sovereign which must not be obeyed.

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.

So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong, and strike at what is weak.

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

Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.

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

If he sends reinforcements everywhere, he will everywhere be weak.

Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across.

Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions.