Kill one, terrify a thousand.

Attack where he is unprepared; sally forth when he does not expect you.

A clever general... avoids an army when its spirit is keen, but attacks it when it is sluggish and inclined to return. This is the art of studying moods. Disciplined and calm, he awaits the appearance of disorder and hubbub among the enemy. This is the art of retaining self-possession.

The value of time, that is of being a little ahead of your opponent, often provides greater advantage than superior numbers or greater resources.

If you know both yourself and your enemy, you can win a hundred battles without a single loss.

A kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life.

All warfare is based on deception. There is no place where espionage is not used. Offer the enemy bait to lure him.