30 phrases from The Art of War to become a master at strategies

Those who do not carry out any planning will have little chance of victory.

The training and procedures used in military strategy should not be disclosed in advance.

The good fighters of old would first put themselves under the possibility of being defeated and then wait for an opportunity to defeat the enemy.

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

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

In front of a large battle front, look for the weakest point and, there, attack with your greatest strength.

If we want glory and success to accompany our weapons, we must never lose sight of the following factors: doctrine, time, space, command, discipline.

When you surround the enemy, leave an exit for him, otherwise he will fight to the death.

Defense is for times of scarcity, offense in times of plenty.

He who endeavors to resolve difficulties, resolves them before they arise.

He who is wise and is waiting for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.

Fighting and winning every battle is not the ultimate glory, the ultimate glory is breaking the enemy without fighting.

A leader should never start a war motivated by anger.

It tires enemies to keep them busy and not let them breathe.

The water chooses its path according to the terrain it crosses. The warrior seeks victory according to the enemy he faces.

To be victorious you must see what is not visible.

Speed is the essence of war: take advantage of the enemy’s lack of preparedness, plot your course where it is not expected, attack the enemy’s vulnerable places.

If fighting assures victory, then you must fight, even if the governor forbids it; if fighting doesn’t guarantee victory, then you shouldn’t fight even on the governor’s orders.