If you are situated at a great distance from the enemy, and the strength of the two armies is equal, it is not easy to provoke a battle, and fighting will be to your disadvantage.

Fierce language and pretentious advances are signs that the enemy is about to retreat.

He who relies solely on warlike measures shall be exterminated; he who relies solely on peaceful measures shall perish.

The end and aim of spying in all its five varieties is knowledge of the enemy; and this knowledge can only be derived, in the first instance, from the converted spy. Hence it is essential that the converted spy be treated with the utmost liberality.

The difficulty of tactical maneuvering consists in turning the devious into the direct, and misfortune into gain.

If we wish to fight, the enemy can be forced to an engagement even though he be sheltered behind a high rampart and a deep ditch. All we need do is attack some other place that he will be obliged to relieve.

When your opponent gives you an opening, be swift as a hare.