What is of the greatest importance in war is extraordinary speed: One cannot afford to neglect opportunity.

It is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general who will use the highest intelligence of the army for the purposes of spying, and thereby they achieve great results.

The rising of birds in their flight is the sign of an ambuscade. Startled beasts indicate that a sudden attack is coming.

Do not press an enemy at bay.

The control of a large force is the same principle as the control of a few men: it is merely a question of dividing up their numbers.

Know the enemy, know yourself; your victory will never be endangered. Know the ground, know the weather; your victory will then be total.

When the position is such that neither side will gain by making the first move, it is called temporising ground.