The spot where we intend to fight must not be made known; for then the enemy will have to prepare against a possible attack at several different points; and his forces being thus distributed in many directions, the numbers we shall have to face at any given point will be proportionately few.

Correct your mistake as soon as you have found it.

To perceive victory when it is known to all is not really skilful... It does not take much strength to lift a hair, it does not take sharp eyes to see the sun and moon, it does not take sharp ears to hear the thunderclap.

Without local guides, your enemy employs the land as a weapon against you.

Spies are a most important element in water, because on them depends an army's ability to move.

When the higher officers are angry and insubordinate, and on meeting the enemy give battle on their own account from a feeling of resentment, before the commander-in-chief can tell whether or not he is in a position to fight, the result is ruin.

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.