Dictums (applies to trading) from Sun Tzu's The Art of War

Summarized from Stanley Kroll's Dragons and Bulls book.

'to win without fighting is best.'

'If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not Fear
the result of a hundred battles.'

'The general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his
temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle
makes but few calculations beforehand. Thus, many calculations
lead to victory and few calculations lead to defeat.'

'The value of time — that is, being a little ahead of your
opponent — has counted for more than either numerical
superiority or the nicest calculations with regard to
commissariat. '

'When you capture spoils from the enemy, they must be used as
rewards, so that all your men must have a keen desire to fight,
each on his own account.'

'Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while
it is still small. The most dilficult things in the world must be
done while they are still easy, the greatest things in the world
must be done while they are still small.'

'Strong action is training the body without being burdened by
the body, exercising the mind without being used by the mind,
working in the world without being affected by the world,
carrying out tasks without being obstructed by tasks.'

'Greed is a fundamental cause of defeat; it is the unemotional,
reserved, calm detached warrior who wins and not the ambitious
seeker of fortune.'

'Those who are skilled in combat do not become angered, those
who are skilled at winning do not become afraid. Thus the wise
win before they fight, while the ignorant fight to win.'