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

Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits.

It is sufficient to estimate the enemy situation correctly and to concentrate your strength to capture him. There is no more to it than this. He who lacks foresight and underestimates his enemy will surely be captured by him.

If our soldiers are not overburdened with money, it is not because they have a distaste for riches; if their lives are not unduly long, it is not because they are disinclined to longevity.

All wars are won or lost before they are ever fought.

If we do not wish to fight, we can prevent the enemy from engaging us even though the lines of our encampment be merely traced out on the ground. All we need to do is to throw something odd and unaccountable in his way.

Don't flail against the world, use it. Flexibility is the operative principle in the art of war.