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.

Set the troops to their tasks without imparting your designs.

Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.

It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack him; if twice as numerous, to divide our army into two.

In making tactical dispositions, the highest pitch you can attain is to conceal them.

You can prevent your opponent from defeating you through defense, but you cannot defeat him without taking the offensive.

It is according to the shapes that I lay the plans for victory, but the multitude does not comprehend this. Although everyone can see the outward aspects, none understands the way in which I have created victory.