When you are ignorant of the enemy but know yourself, your chances of winning or losing are equal.

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

Those who excel in war first cultivate their own humanity and and maintain their laws and institutions. By these means they make their governments invincible.

He whose ranks are united in purpose will be victorious.

To a surrounded enemy, you must leave a way of escape.

Bestow rewards without respect to customary practice; publish orders without respect to precedent. Thus you may employ the entire army as you would one man.

In all history, there is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare. Only one who knows the disastrous effects of a long war can realize the supreme importance of rapidity in bringing it to a close.