Every battle is won before it’s ever fought. - Sun Tzu

it is better to recapture an army entire than to destroy it, to capture a regiment, a detachment or a company entire than to destroy them.

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.

The end and aim of spying in all its five varieties is knowledge of the enemy; and this knowledge can only be derived, in the first instance, from the converted spy. Hence it is essential that the converted spy be treated with the utmost liberality.