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

The consummate leader cultivates the moral law, and strictly adheres to method and discipline; thus it is in his power to control success.

We may distinguish six kinds of terrain, to wit: (1) Accessible ground; (2) entangling ground; (3) temporising ground; (4) narrow passes; (5) precipitous heights; (6) positions at a great distance from the enemy.

To a surrounded enemy, you must leave a way of escape.

In the midst of difficulties we are always ready to seize an advantage, we may extricate ourselves from misfortune.

There is an intelligent way to eat a live frog - I just don't know what it is.

Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.