One mark of a great soldier is that he fight on his own terms or fights not at all.

Move not unless you see an advantage; use not your troops unless there is something to be gained; fight not unless the position is critical.

The proximity of an army causes prices to go up; and high prices cause people's substance to be drained away. When their substance is drained away, they will be afflicted by heavy exactions. With this loss of substance and exhaustion of strength, the homes of the people will be stripped bare, and their incomes dissipated.

Attack is the secret of defense; defense is the planning of an attack.

Amid the turmoil and tumult of battle, there may be seeming disorder and yet no real disorder at all.

It is according to the shapes that I lay the plans for victory, but the multitude does not comprehend this. Although everyone can see the outward aspects, none understands the way in which I have created victory.

The dance of battle is always played to the same impatient rhythm. What begins in a surge of violent motion is always reduced to the perfectly still.