Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength.
Where the army is, prices are high; when prices rise the wealth of the people is exhausted.
Set the troops to their tasks without imparting your designs.
In the midst of difficulties we are always ready to seize an advantage, we may extricate ourselves from misfortune.
In war, numbers alone confer no advantage. Do not advance relying on sheer military power.
One who has few must prepare against the enemy; one who has many makes the enemy prepare against him.