Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no escape, and they will prefer death to flight. If they will face death, there is nothing they may not achieve.

If you know both yourself and your enemy, you can win a hundred battles without a single loss.

All warfare is based on deception. Therefore, when capable, feign incapacity; when active, inactivity. When near, make it appear that you are far away; when far away, that you are to lure him; feign disorder and strike him. When he concentrates, prepare against him; where he is strong, avoid him. Anger his general and confuse him. Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance.

The natural formation of the country is the soldier's best ally

These are the six ways of courting defeat - neglect to estimate the enemy's strength; want of authority; defective training; unjustifiable anger; nonobservance of discipline; failure to use picked men.

The value of time, that is of being a little ahead of your opponent, often provides greater advantage than superior numbers or greater resources.

Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small.