When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce. If the enemy's troops march up angrily and remain facing ours for a long time without either joining battle or removing demands, the situation is one that requires great vigilance and circumspection. To begin by bluster, but afterward to take fright at the enemy's numbers, shows a supreme lack of intelligence.

Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.

He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign.

A sovereign of high character and intelligence must be able to know the right man, should place the responsibility on him, and expect results.

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

Thus the skilful general conducts his army just as though he were leading a single man, willy-nilly, by the hand.

Carefully compare the opposing army with your own, so that you may know where strength is superabundant and where it is deficient.