There are five dangerous faults which may affect a general: recklessness, which leads to destruction; cowardice, which leads to capture; a hasty temper, which can be provoked by insults; a delicacy of honour, which is sensitive to shame; over-solicitude for his men, which exposes him to worry and trouble.

There is no instance of a nation benefiting from prolonged warfare.

When the leader is morally weak and his discipline not strict, when his instructions and guidance are not enlightened, when there are no consistent rules, neighboring rulers will take advantage of this.

Know thy self, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories.

All war is based on deception.

For them to perceive the advantage of defeating the enemy, they must also have their rewards.

All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.