Those who would wage war, should first eliminate all domestic enemies before proceeding to attack the external foe.

Swift as the wind. Quiet as the forest. Conquer like the fire. Steady as the mountain

To Subdue an enemy without fighting is the greatest of skills

To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.

Bestow rewards without respect to customary practice; publish orders without respect to precedent. Thus you may employ the entire army as you would one man.

He who knows things, and in fighting puts his knowledge into practice, will win his battles. He who knows them not, nor practices them, will surely be defeated.

Of all rewards none [is] more liberal than those given to secret agents.