Appraise war in terms of the fundamental factors. The first of these factors is moral influence.

In peace prepare for war, in war prepare for peace. The art of war is of vital importance to the state. It is matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence under no circumstances can it be neglected.

If this is long delayed, weapons are blunted and morale depressed.

O divine art of subtlety and secrecy! Through you we learn to be invisible, through you inaudible and hence we can hold the enemy's fate in our hands.

In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory.

When the higher officers are angry and insubordinate, and on meeting the enemy give battle on their own account from a feeling of resentment, before the commander-in-chief can tell whether or not he is in a position to fight, the result is ruin.

Weak leadership can wreck the soundest strategy; forceful execution of even a poor plan can often bring victory.