The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom.

Bestow rewards without regard to rule, issue orders without regard to previous arrangements; and you will be able to handle a whole army as though you had to do with but a single man.

Those whose upper and lower ranks have the same desire are victorious.

In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory. Indirect tactics, efficiently applied, are inexhaustible as Heaven and Earth, unending as the flow of rivers and streams; like the sun and moon, they end but to begin anew; like the four seasons, they pass away to return once more.

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

Peace proposals unaccompanied by a sworn covenant indicate a plot.

Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every move.