When the thunderclap comes, there is no time to cover the ears.

Convince your enemy that he will gain very little by attacking you; this will diminish his enthusiasm

Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.

Keep your friends close and your enemies even closer.

To maintain an army at a distance causes the people to be impoverished.

Getting people to fight by letting the force of momentum work is like rolling logs and rocks. Logs and rocks are still when in a secure place, but roll on an incline; they remain stationary if square, they roll if round. Therefore, when people are skillfully led into battle, the momentum is like that of round rocks rolling down a high mountain - this is force.

It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war that can thoroughly understand the profitable way of carrying it on.