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

The King is only fond of words, and cannot translate them into deeds.

Keep your friends close and your enemies even closer.

He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.

In your deliberations, when seeking to determine the military conditions, let them be made the basis of a comparison, in this wise: which of the two generals has the most ability? on which side is Discipline most rigorously enforced? which army is stronger? on which side are the officers and men more highly trained? in which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment?

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.

If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle