Should one ask: 'how do I cope with a well-ordered enemy host about to attack me?' I reply: seize something he cherishes and he will conform to your desires.

It is essential to seek out enemy agents who have come to conduct espionage against you and to bribe them to serve you. Give them instructions and care for them. Thus doubled agents are recruited and used.

When your weapons are dulled and ardour damped, your strength exhausted and treasure spent, neighboring rulers will take advantage of your distress to act. And even though you have wise counsellors, none will be able to lay good plans for the future. Thus, while we have heard of blundering swiftness in war, we have not yet seen a clever operation that was prolonged.

He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks.

When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce.

They [spies] cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straightforwardness.

In war, then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns.