Opportunistic relationships can hardly be kept constant. The acquaintance of honorable people, even at a distance, does not add flowers in times of warmth and does not change its leaves in times of cold: it continues unfading through the four seasons, becomes increasingly stable as it passes through ease and danger.

Do the unexpected, attack the unprepared.

First organize the inner, then organize the outer ... First organize the great, then organize the small. First organize yourself, and then organize others.

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

Strength is but one aspect of power.

An enlightened ruler doesnot worry about people not knowing him; he worriesabout not knowing people.

The loss of any army is always caused by underestimating the enemy. Therefore gather information and watch the enemy carefully.