“Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.”

“Be stern in the council-chamber, [Show no weakness, and insist on your plans being ratified by the sovereign.] so that you may control the situation.”

“first lay plans which will ensure victory, and then lead your army to battle;  if you will not begin with stratagem but rely on brute strength alone, victory will no longer be assured”

“Move not unless you see an advantage; use not your troops unless there is something to be gained; fight not unless the position is critical.”

“When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move.”

“When an invading force crosses a river in its onward march, do not advance to meet it in mid-stream.  It will be best to let half the army get across, and then deliver your attack.”

“Move swift as the Wind and closely-formed as the Wood. Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain.”