Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and you know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you now Heaven and you know Earth, you may make your victory complete.

A kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life.

The ultimate in disposing one's troops is to be without ascertainable shape. Then the most penetrating spies cannot pry in nor can the wise lay plans against you.

Fighting with a large army under your command is nowise different from fighting with a small one: it is merely a question of instituting signs and signals.

All battles are won before they start.

Should one ask: 'how do I cope with a well-ordered enemy host about to attack me?' I reply: seize something he cherishes and he will conform to your desires.

There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard.