“Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing.”

Rewards for good service should not be deferred a single day.

Be where your enemy is not.

Treat your men as you would your own beloved sons. And they will follow you into the deepest valley.

If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.

It is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general who will use the highest intelligence of the army for the purposes of spying, and thereby they achieve great results.

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.

It is easy to love your friend, but sometimes the hardest lesson to learn is to love your enemy.

The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.

If his forces are united, separate them.

If ignorant both of your enemy and yourself, you are certain to be in peril.

Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.

The whole secret lies in confusing the enemy, so that he cannot fathom our real intent.

In battle, there are not more than two methods of attack–the direct and the indirect; yet these two in combination give rise to an endless series of maneuvers.

Every battle is won before it’s ever fought.

There are not more than five cardinal tastes, yet combinations of them yield more flavours than can ever be tasted.

When strong, avoid them. If of high morale, depress them. Seem humble to fill them with conceit. If at ease, exhaust them. If united, separate them. Attack their weaknesses. Emerge to their surprise.