Victory is the main object in war.

Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions.

If soldiers are punished before they have grown attached to you, they will not prove submissive; and, unless submissive, then will be practically useless. If, when the soldiers have become attached to you, punishments are not enforced, they will still be unless.

The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.

When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears, they are faint from want of food.

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

The true objective of war is peace.