A sovereign of high character and intelligence must be able to know the right man, should place the responsibility on him, and expect results.

When torrential water tosses boulders, it is because of its momentum. When the strike of a hawk breaks the body of its prey, it is because of timing.

If this is long delayed, weapons are blunted and morale depressed.

There is no place where espionage is not possible.

It is a doctrine of war not to assume the enemy will not come, but rather to rely on one's readiness to meet him; not to presume that he will not attack, but rather to make one's self invincible.

Appraise war in terms of the fundamental factors. The first of these factors is moral influence.

Nothing is more difficult than the art of maneuvering for advantageous positions.