They [spies] cannot be properly managed without benevolence and straightforwardness.

Apparent confusion is a product of good order; apparent cowardice, of courage; apparent weakness, of strength.

Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions.

When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.

Hence the saying: The enlightened ruler lays his plans well ahead; the good general cultivates his resources.

A leader leads by example not by force.

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.