Those who excel in war first cultivate their own humanity and and maintain their laws and institutions. By these means they make their governments invincible.

Carefully compare the opposing army with your own, so that you may know where strength is superabundant and where it is deficient.

He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks.

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.

When I have won a victory I do not repeat my tactics but respond to circumstances in an infinite variety of ways.

Keep your friends close and your enemies even closer.

Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will.