He who knows his enemy and himself well will not be defeated easily.

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.

Those who excel in war first cultivate their own humanity and and maintain their laws and institutions. By these means they make their governments invincible.

The art of giving orders is not to try to rectify the minor blunders and not be swayed by petty doubts.

If this is long delayed, weapons are blunted and morale depressed.

It is more important to outhink your enemy, than to outfight him

Set the troops to their tasks without imparting your designs.