Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small. The difficult things in this world must be done while they are easy, the greatest things in the world must be done while they are still small. For this reason sages never do what is great, and this is why they achieve greatness.

Weak leadership can wreck the soundest strategy

These are six ways of courting defeat, which must be carefully noted by the general who has attained a responsible post.

There are not more than five primary colours, yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever been seen.

Thus the expert in battle moves the enemy, and is not moved by him.

Spies cannot be usefully employed without a certain intuitive sagacity.

Maneuvering with an army is advantageous; with an undisciplined multitude, most dangerous.