If our soldiers are not overburdened with money, it is not because they have a distaste for riches; if their lives are not unduly long, it is not because they are disinclined to longevity.

There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard.

Unless you know the mountains and the forests, the defiles and impasses, the lay of the marshes and swamps, you cannot maneuver with an armed force. Unless you use local guides, you cannot get the advantages of the land.

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

According to my assessment, even if you have many more troops than others, how can that help you to victory?

In the midst of difficulties we are always ready to seize an advantage, we may extricate ourselves from misfortune.

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.