If I am able to determine the enemy's dispositions while at the same time I conceal my own, then I can concentrate and he must divide.

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.

Therefore the skillful leader subdues the enemy's troops without any fighting; he captures their cities without laying siege to them; he overthrows their kingdom without lengthy operations in the field.

Thus the skilful general conducts his army just as though he were leading a single man, willy-nilly, by the hand.

Thus the highest form of generalship is to balk the enemy's plans, the next best is to prevent the junction of the enemy's forces, the next in order is to attack the enemy's army in the field, and the worst policy of all is to besiege walled cities.

Rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him

Invincibility lies in the defense; the possibility of victory in the attack.