So the important thing in a military operation is victory, not persistence.

The business of a general is to kick away the ladder behind soldiers when they have climbed up a height.

Carefully study the well-being of your men, and do not overtax them. Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength. Keep your army continually on the move, and devise unfathomable plans.

Set the troops to their tasks without imparting your designs.

The opportunity to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands

The control of large numbers is possible, and like unto that of small numbers, if we subdivide them.

It is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles; if you do not know your enemies but do know yourself, you will win one and lose one; if you do not know your enemies nor yourself, you will be imperiled in every single battle.