Convince your enemy that he will gain very little by attacking you; this will diminish his enthusiasm

And therefore only the enlightened sovereign and the worthy general who are able to use the most intelligent people as agents are certain to achieve great things.

War is a matter of vital importance to the state.

The dance of battle is always played to the same impatient rhythm. What begins in a surge of violent motion is always reduced to the perfectly still.

There are five kinds of incendiary attack: The first is called setting fire to personnel; the second, to stores; the third, to transport vehicles and equipment; the fourth, to munitions; the fifth, to supply installations...In all cases an army must understand the changes induced by the five kinds of incendiary attack, and make use of logistical calculations to address them.

He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces.

You can prevent your opponent from defeating you through defense, but you cannot defeat him without taking the offensive.