There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard.

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.

Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.

Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.

When orders are consistently trustworthy and observed, the relationship of a commander with his troops is satisfactory.

Keep their friends close and their enemies closer.

And therefore those skilled in war bring the enemy to the field of battle and are not brought there by him.