When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce.

There are roads which must not be followed, armies which must not be attacked, towns which must not be besieged, positions which must not be contested, commands of the sovereign which must not be obeyed.

If the enemy leaves a door open, you must rush in.

If the enemy opens the door, you must race in.

The one who figures on victory at headquarters before even doing battle is the one who has the most strategic factors on his side.

There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard.

Hiding order beneath the cloak of disorder is simply a question of subdivision; concealing courage under a show of timidity presupposes a fund of latent energy; masking strength with weakness is to be effected by tactical dispositions.