Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every move.

War is a matter of vital importance to the state; the province of life or death; the road to survival or ruin. It is mandatory that it be thoroughly studied.

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

When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce. If the enemy's troops march up angrily and remain facing ours for a long time without either joining battle or removing demands, the situation is one that requires great vigilance and circumspection. To begin by bluster, but afterward to take fright at the enemy's numbers, shows a supreme lack of intelligence.

The opportunity to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands

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

A leader leads by example not by force.