The Art of War by Sun Tzu

Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small. The most difficult things in the world must be done while they are still very easy, the greatest things in the world must be done while they are still small. For this reason sages never do what is great, and this is why they can achieve greatness.

To sense and comprehend after action is not worthy of being called comprehension. To accomplish after striving is not worthy of being called accomplishment. To know after seeing is not worthy of being called knowing. These three are from the way of sensing and response.

Indeed to be able to do something before it exists, sense something before it becomes active, see something before it sprouts, are three abilities that develop interdependently. Then nothing is sensed but is comprehended, nothing is undertaken without response, nowhere does one go withoug benefit.

...those who establish a viable organization will survive even if they are small, while those who establish a moribund organization will perish even if large.

The administration of military affairs means the administration of border affairs, or the administration of affairs in oulying regions, in such a way as to relieve people from major disturbances.

The wise win before they fight, the ignorant fight to win.

A skilled attack is one against which opponents do not know how to defend; a skilled defense is one which opponents do not know hot to attack. If opponents want to hold firm, attack where they are unprepared; if opponents want to establish a battlefront, appear where they do not expect you.