Wait by the river long enough and the body of your enemy will float by you.

In the tumult and uproar, the battle seems chaotic, but there is no disorder, the troops appear to be milling about in circles but cannot be defeated.

The true objective of war is peace.

In warfare, first lay plans which will ensure victory, and then lead your army to battle; if you will not begin with stratagem but rely on brute strength alone, victory will no longer be assured.

No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own spleen; no general should fight a battle simply out of pique.

There are routes not to be followed, armies not to be attacked, citadels not to be besieged, territory not to be fought over.

When the common soldiers are too strong and their officers too weak, the result is insubordination. When the officers are too strong and the common soldiers too weak, the result is collapse.