The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.

This concept is widely repeated: first, don’t lose. There are many other passages dealing with certainty.

He who exercises no forethought but makes light of his opponents is sure to be capture by them.

Move not unless you see an advantage… no general should fight a battle simply out of pique.

Anger may in time change to gladness; vexation may be succeed by content. But a kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead be brought back to life.

But that’s not all Sun Tzu had to say.

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

Rapidity is the essence of war. (granted this is out of context)

A soldier’s spirit is keenest in the morning; by noonday it has begun to flag; and in the evening, his mind is bent only on returning to camp.

If, in the midst of difficulties we are always ready to seize an advantage, we may extricate ourselves from misfortune.

Just as your courage must not be reckless, your caution should not make you timid.