"The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected."

"Be subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you may be the director of the enemy's fate."

"Put them in a place whence there is no escape, and they will prefer death to flight."

"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."

"Therefore, the skillful fighter puts himself into a position which makes defeat impossible, and does not miss the moment for defeating the enemy."