Of all those in the army close to the commander, none is more intimate than the secret agent.

So the important thing in a military operation is victory, not persistence.

It is the business of a general to be quiet and thus ensure secrecy; upright and just, and thus maintain order.

Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain

Opportunities increase as they are taken.

To capture an enemies army is better than to destroy it.

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.