When the position is such that neither side will gain by making the first move, it is called temporising ground.

The King is only fond of words, and cannot translate them into deeds.

Don't flail against the world, use it. Flexibility is the operative principle in the art of war.

When the common soldiers are too strong and their officers too weak, the result is insubordination. When the officers are too strong and the common soldiers too weak, the result is collapse.

When your weapons are dulled and ardour damped, your strength exhausted and treasure spent, neighboring rulers will take advantage of your distress to act. And even though you have wise counsellors, none will be able to lay good plans for the future. Thus, while we have heard of blundering swiftness in war, we have not yet seen a clever operation that was prolonged.

He who relies solely on warlike measures shall be exterminated; he who relies solely on peaceful measures shall perish.

Do not press an enemy at bay.