The sovereign must have full knowledge of the activities of the five sorts of agents. This knowledge must come from the double agents, and therefore it is mandatory that they be treated with the utmost liberality.
Of all those in the army close to the commander, none is more intimate than the secret agent.
If your enemy is superior, evade him.
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
When you shoot a bow and arrow, you aim at the clouds, not because you expect to hit them, but so that you may reach the distant target on the ground.
If I am able to determine the enemy’s dispositions while at the same time I conceal my own, then I can concentrate and he must divide.
Those skilled in attack move as from above the nine-fold heavens. Thus they are capable both of protecting themselves and of gaining complete victory.
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.
Don’t flail against the world, use it. Flexibility is the operative principle in the art of war.
To maintain an army at a distance causes the people to be impoverished.
The successful person has unusual skill at dealing with conflict and ensuring the best outcome for all.
Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions.
Kill one, terrify a thousand.
Those who would wage war, should first eliminate all domestic enemies before proceeding to attack the external foe.
A warrior who is prepared to fight must also be prepared to die.
One who speaks deferentially but increases his preparations will advance. One who speaks belligerently and advances hastily will retreat.
Perfection in war lies in so sapping your opponents will that he surrenders without fighting.
When your opponent gives you an opening, be swift as a hare.
Apparent confusion is a product of good order; apparent cowardice, of courage; apparent weakness, of strength.
Unless you enter the tiger’s lair, you cannot get hold of the tiger’s cub’s.