(noun) The science and art of military command as applied to the overall planning and conduct of warfare.
"He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight"
"Do not swallow bait offered by the enemy. Do not interfere with an army that is returning home."
"One mark of a great soldier is that he fight on his own terms or fights not at all."
"Move not unless you see an advantage; use not your troops unless there is something to be gained; fight not unless the position is critical."
"If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant."
"Every battle is won before it’s ever fought."
"Rouse him, and learn the principle of his activity or inactivity. Force him to reveal himself, so as to find out his vulnerable spots."
"Always mystify, mislead, and surprise the enemy if possible."
"Be extremely subtle even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent's fate."
"If ignorant both of your enemy and yourself, you are certain to be in peril."
"Ponder and deliberate before you make a move."
"Hence that general is skilful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skilful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack."