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

If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, the general is to blame. But if his orders are clear, and the soldiers nevertheless disobey, then it is the fault of their officers.

No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own spleen; no general should fight a battle simply out of pique.

A battle avoided cannot be lost.

To persuade your enemy to (retreat) before the fight is to defeat them even before the battle begins. An enemy made ally is no longer an enemy.

If I wish to engage, then the enemy, for all his high ramparts and deep moat, cannot avoid engagement; I attack that which he is obliged to rescue.

Keep your friends close and your enemies even closer.