"The general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand."

"Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing."

"The ultimate in flexibility consists in coming to rest at the precise moment when the enemy is taken by surprise."

"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."

"If his forces are united, separate them."