Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.

When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears, they are faint from want of food.

Quickness is the essence of the war.

Without harmony in the State, no military expedition can be undertaken; without harmony in the army, no battle array can be formed.

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

Convince your enemy that he will gain very little by attacking you; this will diminish his enthusiasm

The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses makes but few calculations beforehand.