The general that hearkens to my counsel and acts upon it, will conquer: let such a one be retained in command! The general that hearkens not to my counsel nor acts upon it, will suffer defeat: - let such a one be dismissed!

If a battle can not be won do not fight it.

He who knows things, and in fighting puts his knowledge into practice, will win his battles. He who knows them not, nor practices them, will surely be defeated.

No nation has ever benefited from a prolonged war.

It is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general who will use the highest intelligence of the army for the purposes of spying, and thereby they achieve great results.

The skilful employer of men will employ the wise man, the brave man, the covetous man, and the stupid man.

Of all those in the army close to the commander, none is more intimate than the secret agent.