Keep their friends close and their enemies closer.

The true objective of war is peace.

Nothing is more difficult than the art of maneuvering for advantageous positions.

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

If an enemy has alliances, the problem is grave and the enemy's position strong; if he has no alliances, the problem is minor and the enemy's position weak.

When a general, unable to estimate the enemy's strength, allows an inferior force to engage a larger one, or hurls a weak detachment against a powerful one, and neglects to place picked soldiers in the front rank, the result must be rout.

Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across.