The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.
There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.
The object of war is not to die for your country but to make the other guy die for his.
Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war!
When strong, avoid them. If of high morale, depress them. Seem humble to fill them with conceit. If at ease, exhaust them. If united, separate them. Attack their weaknesses. Emerge to their surprise.
Out of every one hundred men, ten shouldn’t even be there, eighty are just targets, nine are the real fighters, and we are lucky to have them, for they make the battle. Ah, but the one, one is a warrior, and he will bring the others back.
The best way to keep one's word is not to give it.
Treat your men as you would your own beloved sons. And they will follow you into the deepest valley.
Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.
We make war that we may live in peace.