The business of a general is to kick away the ladder behind soldiers when they have climbed up a height.

Probe him and learn where his strength is abundant and where deficient.

There are not more than five primary colours, yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever been seen.

If we know that the enemy is open to attack, but are unaware that our own men are not in a condition to attack, we have gone only halfway towards victory.

If a general shows confidence in his men but always insists on his orders being obeyed, the gain will be mutual.

Of old the expert in battle would first make himself invincible and then wait for his enemy to expose his vulnerability.

You can ensure the success of your attacks if you only attack places that are undefended. You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked. Therefore, that general is skillful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skillful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.