It is ten thousand times cheaper to pay the best spies lavishly than even a tiny army poorly.

Peace proposals unaccompanied by a sworn covenant indicate a plot.

There are routes not to be followed, armies not to be attacked, citadels not to be besieged, territory not to be fought over.

With regard to ground of this nature, be before the enemy in occupying the raised and sunny spots, and carefully guard your line of supplies. Then you will be able to fight with advantage.

Every battle is won before it is fought.

In the tumult and uproar, the battle seems chaotic, but there is no disorder, the troops appear to be milling about in circles but cannot be defeated.

He who is not sage and wise, humane and just, cannot use secret agent.s. And he who is not delicate and subtle cannot get the truth out of them.