If ignorant both of your enemy and yourself, you are certain to be in peril.

No nation has ever benefited from a prolonged war.

He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.

The general that hearkens to my counsel and acts upon it, will conquer: let such a one be retained in command! The general that hearkens not to my counsel nor acts upon it, will suffer defeat: - let such a one be dismissed!

From a position of this sort, if the enemy is unprepared, you may sally forth and defeat him. But if the enemy is prepared for your coming, and you fail to defeat him, then, return being impossible, disaster will ensue.

Where the army is, prices are high; when prices rise the wealth of the people is exhausted.

Of all rewards none [is] more liberal than those given to secret agents.