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From Sun Tzu's The Art of War

Throughout history the one constant has been warfare.  These centuries of conflict have refined war into an art form.  As with any form of art, certain artists will rise to the fore.  Their work is studied and emulated.  Here you will find the tenets of war from various military schools of thought.  You will find that many of the great warriors in history share the same viewpoints regardless of the eras in which they fought.  Conversely, you will note that there are some views that are diametrically opposed.  It is for you, commander, to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each to find the truth of it. 

Laying Plans:

All warfare is based on deception.  Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away.  Hold out baits to entice the enemy.  Feign disorder, and crush him.  If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him.  If he is in superior strength, evade him.  If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him.  Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.  If he is taking his ease, give him no rest.  Attack him where his is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.

The general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. 

On Waging War:

Though we have heard of stupid haste in war, cleverness has never been associated with long delays.

The value of time... that is, being a little ahead of your opponent... has counted for more than either numerical superiority or nicest calculations.

The wise general makes a point of foraging on the enemy. (battlefield salvage)

The Sheathed Sword:

Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.

The highest form of generalship is to balk the enemy's plans.

It is the rule in war:  If our forces are ten to the enemy's one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack him; if twice as numerous to divide our force into two, one to meet the enemy in front, and one to fall upon his rear; if he replies to the frontal attack, he may be crushed from behind; if to the rearward attack, he may be crushed in front.  If equally matched we can offer battle; if slightly inferior in numbers, we can avoid the enemy; if quite unequal in every way, we can flee from him.

He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.

He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces. 

He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.

If you know the enemy and you know yourself, you need not fear the result of 100 battles.  If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.  If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.

Tactics:

To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

One may know how to conquer without being able to do so.

True excellence is to plan secretly, to move surreptitiously, to foil the enemy's intentions and balk his schemes.

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

It is that in war victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and looks for victory afterward.

Energy:

The good fighter will be terrible in his onset and prompt in his decision.

The clever combatant looks to the effect of combined energy, and does not require too much from individuals.  He takes individual talent into account and uses each man according to his abilities.

Weak Points and Strong:

The clever combatant imposes his will upon the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed upon him.  By holding out advantages he may cause the enemy to approach of his own accord; or by inflicting damage, he can make it impossible for the enemy to draw near.  In the first case, he will entice him with a bait; in the second he will strike at some important point that the enemy will have to defend.

If the enemy is taking his ease, harass him; If quietly encamped, force him to move....Appear at points that the enemy must hasten to defend; march swiftly to places where you are not expected.

You can be sure of succeeding in your attacks in you only attack places that are undefended.  You can ensure safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked.  The general is skillful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skillful in the defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.

You may advance and be absolutely irresistible if you make for the enemy's weak points.  If you wish to fight, the enemy can be forced to an engagement even though he be sheltered behind a high rampart and a deep ditch.  All we need do is attack some other place that he will be obliged to relieve.

If the enemy's dispositions are visible, we may make for him in one body; whereas, our own dispositions being kept secret, the enemy will be obliged to divide his forces in order to guard against attack from every quarter.