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

If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat.

To maintain an army at a distance causes the people to be impoverished.

Set the troops to their tasks without imparting your designs.

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.

To ... not prepare is the greatest of crimes; to be prepared beforehand for any contingency is the greatest of virtues.

The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.