Too frequent rewards indicate that the general is at the end of his resources; too frequent punishments that he is in acute distress.

He who is not sage and wise, humane and just, cannot use secret agent.s. And he who is not delicate and subtle cannot get the truth out of them.

Bestow rewards without respect to customary practice; publish orders without respect to precedent. Thus you may employ the entire army as you would one man.

If the mind is willing, the flesh could go on and on without many things.

Unless you know the mountains and the forests, the defiles and impasses, the lay of the marshes and swamps, you cannot maneuver with an armed force. Unless you use local guides, you cannot get the advantages of the land.

One who speaks deferentially but increases his preparations will advance. One who speaks belligerently and advances hastily will retreat.

The true objective of war is peace.