Weak leadership can wreck the soundest strategy

It is essential to seek out enemy agents who have come to conduct espionage against you and to bribe them to serve you. Give them instructions and care for them. Thus doubled agents are recruited and used.

To conquer the enemy without resorting to war is the most desirable. The highest form of generalship is to conquer the enemy by strategy.

One who speaks deferentially but increases his preparations will advance. One who speaks belligerently and advances hastily will retreat.

The best victory is when the opponent surrenders of its own accord before there are any actual hostilities...It is best to win without fighting.

To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy.

Someone unfamiliar with the mountains and forests cannot advance [the team]. One who does not employ local guides cannot gain the advantage.