Dipanjan Das's Key Ideas from Sun Tzu's the Art of War
by Sun-Tzu

“Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.”

“Opportunities multiply as they are seized.”

“Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances.”

“Know your enemy and know yourself, and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster.”

“To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy.”

“Engage people with what they expect; it is what they are able to discern and confirms their projections.”

“The whole secret lies in confusing the enemy, so that he cannot fathom our real intent.”

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

“The wise warrior avoids the battle.”

“The skillful fighter puts himself into a position which makes defeat impossible and does not miss the moment for defeating the enemy.”

“Move swift as the Wind and closely-formed as the Wood. Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain.”

“Appear at points which the enemy must hasten to defend; march swiftly to places where you are not expected.”

“Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across.”

“He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be called a heaven-born captain.”