The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him; not on the chance of his not attacking, but rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable.

The true objective of war is peace.

To plan secretly, to move surreptitiously, to foil the enemy's intentions and balk his schemes, so that at last the day may be won without shedding a drop of blood.

It is the business of a general to be quiet and thus ensure secrecy; upright and just, and thus maintain order.

Unless you enter the tiger's lair, you cannot get hold of the tiger's cub's.

If the enemy has occupied them before you, do not follow him, but retreat and try to entice him away.

The control of a large force is the same principle as the control of a few men: it is merely a question of dividing up their numbers.