Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions.

When the common soldiers are too strong and their officers too weak, the result is insubordination. When the officers are too strong and the common soldiers too weak, the result is collapse.

It is ten thousand times cheaper to pay the best spies lavishly than even a tiny army poorly.

Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every move.

If you know both yourself and your enemy, you can win a hundred battles without a single loss.

If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight.

Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no escape, and they will prefer death to flight. If they will face death, there is nothing they may not achieve.