Sun Tzu

There has never been a state that has benefited from an extended war.

To win a hundred victories in a hundred battles is not the highest excellence; the highestexcellence is to subdue the enemy’s armywithout fighting at all.

Warfare is the art of deceit.

War is a vital matter of state.

War is based on deception.

Appraise war in terms of the fundamental factors. The first of these factors is moral influence.

All warfare is based on deception. There is no place where espionage is not used. Offer the enemy bait to lure him.

It does not take sharp eyes to see the sun and the moon, nor does it take sharp ears to hear the thunderclap. Wisdom is not obvious. You must see the subtle and notice the hidden to be victorious.

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.

War is a matter of vital importance to the State; the province of life or death; the road to survival or ruin. It is mandatory that it be thoroughly studied.

The best victory is when the opponent surrenders of its own accord before there are any actual hostilities...It is best to win without fighting.

A military operation involves deception. Even though you are competent, appear to be incompetent. Though effective, appear to be ineffective.

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

Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.

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

All war is deception.

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

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

When one treats people with benevolence, justice, and righteousness, and reposes confidence in them, the army will be united in mind and all will be happy to serve their leaders.