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

And regulation entails organizational effectiveness, a chain of command, and a structure for logistical support.

It is through the dispositions of an army that its condition may be discovered. Conceal your dispositions, and your condition will remain secret, which leads to victory,; show your dispositions, and your condition will become patent, which leads to defeat.

Spies are a most important element in water, because on them depends an army's ability to move.

When the thunderclap comes, there is no time to cover the ears.

Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated.

Bring war material with you from home, but forage on the enemy... use the conquered foe to augment one's own strength.