“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred 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.”
TL;DR know the game
Also, you only truly know the game by playing it. Get beaten often, but try to understand why you lost.
“Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.”
“If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is temperamental, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. If sovereign and subject are in accord, put division between them. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected .”
TL;DR focus on the enemy's weaknesses.
“There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard.
There are not more than five primary colours, yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever been seen.
There are not more than five cardinal tastes, yet combinations of them yield more flavours than can ever be tasted.”
TL;DR learn your playstyle
“One may know how to conquer without being able to do it. ”
basically, even though you know how to do a combo or a tech or whatever shit you're planning, you may not be able to perform it if you don't practice enough.
“The whole secret lies in confusing the enemy, so that he cannot fathom our real intent.”
“Knowing the enemy enables you to take the offensive, knowing yourself enables you to stand on the defensive.”
