Competition by Sun Tzu

“Understand the enemy.” 

“When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move.”

“In conflict, straightforward actions generally lead to engagement, surprising actions generally lead to victory.”

“Thus those skilled in war subdue the enemy’s army without battle … . They conquer by strategy.”

“Know the enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles you will never be in peril. When you are ignorant of the enemy, but know yourself, your chances of winning or losing are equal. If ignorant both of your enemy and yourself, you are certain in every battle to be in peril.”

“In war, numbers alone confer no advantage.”

“To … not prepare is the greatest of crimes; to be prepared beforehand for any contingency is the greatest of virtues.”

“What is of the greatest importance in war is extraordinary speed: One cannot afford to neglect opportunity.”

“The general must be first in the toils and fatigues of the army. In the heat of summer he does not spread his parasol, nor in the cold of winter don thick clothing … . He waits until the army’s wells have been dug and only then drinks; until the army’s food is cooked before he eats; until the army’s fortifications have been completed, to shelter himself.”

“A sovereign of high character and intelligence must be able to know the right man, should place the responsibility on him, and expect results.”

“If an enemy has alliances, the problem is grave and the enemy’s position strong; if he has no alliances, the problem is minor and the enemy’s position weak.”