風　Swift as the wind
林　Quiet as the forest
火　Conquer like the fire
山　Steady as the mountain

Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.

Speed is the essence of war. Take advantage of the enemy's unpreparedness; travel by unexpected routes and strike him where he has taken no precautions.

There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.

It is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperilled in a hundred battles; if you do not know your enemies but do know yourself, you will win one and lose one; if you do not know your enemies nor yourself, you will be imperilled in every single battle.

Thus, what is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy's strategy.

And therefore those skilled in war bring the enemy to the field of battle and are not brought there by him.