No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own spleen; no general should fight a battle simply out of pique.

Victory is the main object in war.

One whose troops repeatedly congregate in small groups here and there, whispering together, has lost the masses. One who frequently grants rewards is in deep distress. One who frequently imposes punishments is in great difficulty. One who is at first excessively brutal and then fears the masses is the pinnacle of stupidity.

A kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life.

All warfare is based on deception. If your enemy is superior, evade him. If angry, irritate him. If equally matched, fight and if not: split and re-evaluate.

One defends when his strength is inadequate, he attacks when it is abundant.

Convince your enemy that he will gain very little by attacking you; this will diminish his enthusiasm