To maintain an army at a distance causes the people to be impoverished.

He who knows his enemy and himself well will not be defeated easily.

In all history, there is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare. Only one who knows the disastrous effects of a long war can realize the supreme importance of rapidity in bringing it to a close.

All warfare is based on deception. There is no place where espionage is not used. Offer the enemy bait to lure him.

No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own spleen; no general should fight a battle simply out of pique.

One whose troops repeatedly congregate in small groups here and there, whispering together, has lost the masses. One who frequently grants rewards is in deep distress. One who frequently imposes punishments is in great difficulty. One who is at first excessively brutal and then fears the masses is the pinnacle of stupidity.

If not in the interests of the state, do not act. If you cannot succeed, do not use troops. If you are not in danger, do not fight.