What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease.

If the enemy has occupied them before you, do not follow him, but retreat and try to entice him away.

Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.

Too frequent rewards indicate that the general is at the end of his resources; too frequent punishments that he is in acute distress.

Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night.

The skilful employer of men will employ the wise man, the brave man, the covetous man, and the stupid man.

The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses makes but few calculations beforehand.