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

A leader leads by example not by force.

Ultimate excellence lies not in winning every battle, but in defeating the enemy without ever fighting.

There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard.

To perceive victory when it is known to all is not really skilful... It does not take much strength to lift a hair, it does not take sharp eyes to see the sun and moon, it does not take sharp ears to hear the thunderclap.

The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.

It is ten thousand times cheaper to pay the best spies lavishly than even a tiny army poorly.