And therefore those skilled in war bring the enemy to the field of battle and are not brought there by him.

What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease.

Of all rewards none [is] more liberal than those given to secret agents.

Maneuvering with an army is advantageous; with an undisciplined multitude, most dangerous.

The relative size of your force as against that of your adversary is by itself of no consequence. What controls is the relative size of your force at the point where you join in battle. You can strike with the few and be many if you strike your adversary in his gaps. Seek out places where the defense is not strict, the place not tightly guarded, the generals weak, the troops disorderly, the supplies are scarce and the forces are isolated.

A kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life.

Order or disorder depends on organisation and direction; courage or cowardice on circumstances; strength or weakness on tactical dispositions.