“the worst calamities that befall an army arise from hesitation”

“If those who are sent to draw water begin by drinking themselves, the army is suffering from thirst. [One may know the condition of a whole army from the behavior of a single man.]”

“By method and discipline are to be understood the marshaling of the army in its proper subdivisions, the graduations of rank among the officers, the maintenance of roads by which supplies may reach the army, and the control of military expenditure.”

“He will win whose army is animated by the spirit throughout all its ranks.”

“When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.”

“The principle on which to manage an army is to set up one standard of courage which all must reach.”

“It is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general who will use the highest intelligence of the army for the purposes of spying, and thereby they achieve great results.”