If a general shows confidence in his men but always insists on his orders being obeyed, the gain will be mutual.

In making tactical dispositions, the highest pitch you can attain is to conceal them.

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

He who wishes to fight must first count the cost

The art of giving orders is not to try to rectify the minor blunders and not be swayed by petty doubts.

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.

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.