The opportunity to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands

A clever general... avoids an army when its spirit is keen, but attacks it when it is sluggish and inclined to return. This is the art of studying moods. Disciplined and calm, he awaits the appearance of disorder and hubbub among the enemy. This is the art of retaining self-possession.

In the tumult and uproar, the battle seems chaotic, but there is no disorder, the troops appear to be milling about in circles but cannot be defeated.

In the midst of difficulties we are always ready to seize an advantage, we may extricate ourselves from misfortune.

Generally, management of many is the same as management of few. It is a matter of organization. And to control many is the same as to control few. This is a matter of formations and signals.

Ground which can be abandoned but is hard to re-occupy is called entangling.

Of all rewards none [is] more liberal than those given to secret agents.