When orders are consistently trustworthy and observed, the relationship of a commander with his troops is satisfactory.

Subtle and insubstantial, the expert leaves no trace; divinely mysterious, he is inaudible. Thus he is master of his enemy's fate.

There are not more than five primary colours, yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever been seen.

Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across.

Other conditions being equal, if one force is hurled against another ten times its size, the result will be the flight of the former.

In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy's country whole and intact; to shatter and destroy it is not so good.

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