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

Fighting with a large army under your command is nowise different from fighting with a small one: it is merely a question of instituting signs and signals.

All war is based on deception.

So a military force has no constant formation, water has no constant shape: the ability to gain victory by changing and adapting according to the opponent is called genius.

Place your army in deadly peril, and it will survive; plunge it into desperate straits, and it will come off in safety.

Spies cannot be usefully employed without a certain intuitive sagacity.

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.