"With gift, craft, promise, cause thy foe to yield;
When these have failed thee, challenge him afield."


"The subtle wash of waves do smoothly pass,
But lay the tree as lowly as the grass."


"Ten true bowmen on a rampart fifty's onset may sustain;
Fortalices keep a country more than armies in the plain."

"Build it strong, and build it spacious, with an entry and retreat;
Store it well with wood and water, fill its garners full with wheat."


"Gems will no man's life sustain;
Best of gold is golden grain."

"Hard it is to conquer nature: if a dog were made a King,
'Mid the coronation trumpets he would gnaw his sandal-string."