Sun Tzu

Through you we learn to be invisible, through you inaudible; and hence we can hold the enemy's fate in our hands.

If those who are sent to draw water begin by drinking themselves, the army is suffering from thirst. [One may know the condition of a whole army from the behavior of a single man.]

Bravery without forethought, causes a man to fight blindly and desperately like a mad bull._ Such an opponent, must not be encountered with brute force, but may be lured into an ambush and slain.

Be where your enemy is not.

When we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away...

He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.

The whole secret lies in confusing the enemy, so that he cannot fathom our real intent.

There are roads which must not be followed, armies which must not be attacked, towns which must not be besieged, positions which must not be contested, commands of the sovereign which must not be obeyed.

Great results, can be achieved with small forces.

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

Rouse him, and learn the principle of his activity or inactivity. Force him to reveal himself, so as to find out his vulnerable spots.

If your opponent is of choleric temper,_ seek to irritate him._ Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.

Move swift as the Wind and closely-formed as the Wood. Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain.

To win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.

The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.

When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.

All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.

who wishes to fight must first count the cost