Spies cannot be usefully employed without a certain intuitive sagacity.

Rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him

The art of giving orders is not to try to rectify the minor blunders and not be swayed by petty doubts.

Carefully compare the opposing army with your own, so that you may know where strength is superabundant and where it is deficient.

With regard to precipitous heights, if you are beforehand with your adversary, you should occupy the raised and sunny spots, and there wait for him to come up.

Hence the experienced soldier, once in motion, is never bewildered; once he has broken camp, he is never at a loss.

Do not engage an enemy more powerful than you. And if it is unavoidable and you do have to engage, then make sure you engage it on your terms, not on your enemy's terms.