"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."

"When you engage in actual fighting, if victory is long in coming, then men's weapons will grow dull and their ardor will be dampened."

"Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength."

"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."

"Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win."