Generally in war the best policy is to take a state intact; to ruin it is inferior to this.

The good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy.

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.

It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack him; if twice as numerous, to divide our army into two.

Winning isn't enough. The acme of all skill is to defeat your enemy before taking the field.

Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.

With regard to precipitous heights, if you are beforehand with your adversary, you should occupy the raised and sunny spots, and there wait for him to come up.