The opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.

It is the business of a general to be quiet and thus ensure secrecy; upright and just, and thus maintain order.

Bestow rewards without regard to rule, issue orders without regard to previous arrangements; and you will be able to handle a whole army as though you had to do with but a single man.

Be where your enemy is not.

Generally in war the best policy is to take a state intact; to ruin it is inferior to this.

Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will.

A battle avoided cannot be lost.