One need not destroy one's enemy. One need only destroy his willingness to engage.

When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce.

What is of the greatest importance in war is extraordinary speed: One cannot afford to neglect opportunity.

If we do not wish to fight, we can prevent the enemy from engaging us even though the lines of our encampment be merely traced out on the ground. All we need to do is to throw something odd and unaccountable in his way.

Know thy enemy and know thy self and you will win a hundred battles.

Now an army is exposed to six several calamities, not arising from natural causes, 1 but from faults for which the general is responsible. These are: (1) Flight; (2) insubordination; (3) collapse; (4) ruin; (5) disorganisation; (6) rout.

Attack is the secret of defense; defense is the planning of an attack.