Sun Tzu

Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small.

five constant factors

(1) The Moral Law

(5) Method and discipline

accord with their ruler

According as circumstances are favourable, one should modify one's plans.

(1)
He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.
(2)
He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces.
(3)
He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks.
(4)
He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.
(5)
He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sov

Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.

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

When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.
Such is the art of warfare.