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.

When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce.

In war, then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns.

The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.

The line between disorder and order lies in logistics.

These are the six ways of courting defeat - neglect to estimate the enemy's strength; want of authority; defective training; unjustifiable anger; nonobservance of discipline; failure to use picked men.

Be subtle! be subtle! and use your spies for every kind of business.