Sun Tzu

“Can you imagine what I would do if I could do all I can?”

“Secret operations are essential in war upon them the army relies to make its every move.”

“The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”

“If our soldiers are not overburdened with money, it is not because they have a distaste for riches if their lives are not unduly long, it is not because they are disinclined to longevity.”

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

“Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys look on them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.”

“It is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general who will use the highest intelligence of the army for the purposes of spying, and thereby they achieve great results.”

“The skilful employer of men will employ the wise man, the brave man, the covetous man, and the stupid man.”

“If we know that our own men are in a condition to attack, but are unaware that the enemy is not open to attack, we have gone only halfway towards victory.”

“All war is deception.”

“There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.”

“There has never been a protracted war from which a country has benefited.”

“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.”

“Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared.”

“If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles.”

“The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy.”

“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 enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution.”

“He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.”

“All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.”

“Now the reason the enlightened prince and the wise general conquer the enemy whenever they move and their achievements surpass those of ordinary men is foreknowledge.”

“Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory.”

“Thus, what is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy's strategy.”

“All war is based on deception.”