A kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life.

A wise general makes a point of foraging of the enemy.

O divine art of subtlety and secrecy!

According to my assessment, even if you have many more troops than others, how can that help you to victory?

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

To perceive victory when it is known to all is not really skilful. Everyone calls victory in battle good, but it is not really good.

Nothing is more difficult than the art of maneuvering for advantageous positions.

So there are five ways of knowing who will win. Those who know when to fight and when not to fight are victorious. Those who discern when to use many or few troops are victorious. Those whose upper and lower ranks have the same desire are victorious.

The control of a large force is the same principle as the control of a few men: it is merely a question of dividing up their numbers.