Hiding order beneath the cloak of disorder is simply a question of subdivision; concealing courage under a show of timidity presupposes a fund of latent energy; masking strength with weakness is to be effected by tactical dispositions.

The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.

Unless you enter the tiger's lair, you cannot get hold of the tiger's cub's.

It is ten thousand times cheaper to pay the best spies lavishly than even a tiny army poorly.

Generally in war the best policy is to take a state intact; to ruin it is inferior to this.

To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.

Keep your friends close and your enemies even closer.