Secret operations are essential in war upon them the army relies to make its every move.

• The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.
• In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy's country whole and intact to shatter and destroy it is not so good.
• In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy's country whole and intact to shatter and destroy it is not so good.
• Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys look on them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.
• Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared.
• If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles.
• In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy's country whole and intact to shatter and destroy it is not so good.
• The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.
• The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom.
• The enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution.