Without harmony in the State, no military expedition can be undertaken; without harmony in the army, no battle array can be formed.

Carefully study the well-being of your men, and do not overtax them. Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength. Keep your army continually on the move, and devise unfathomable plans.

Now this foreknowledge cannot be elicited from spirits; it cannot be obtained inductively from experience, nor by any deductive calculation.

He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks.

Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance.

The good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy.

Spies are a most important element in water, because on them depends an army's ability to move.