Now the reason the enlightened prince and the wise general conquer the enemy whenever they move and their achievements surpass those of ordinary men is foreknowledge.

Thus the expert in battle moves the enemy, and is not moved by him.

O divine art of subtlety and secrecy! Through you we learn to be invisible, through you inaudible and hence we can hold the enemy's fate in our hands.

If not in the interests of the state, do not act. If you cannot succeed, do not use troops. If you are not in danger, do not fight.

To ... not prepare is the greatest of crimes; to be prepared beforehand for any contingency is the greatest of virtues.

When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears, they are faint from want of food.

An army may be likened to water, for just as flowing water avoids the heights and hastens to the lowlands, so an army avoids strength and strikes weakness.