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

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

" Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting. "

" Balk the enemy's power; force him to reveal himself. "

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

" Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance. "

" 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. "

" 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. "

" He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight. "

" The opportunity to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. "

" For them to perceive the advantage of defeating the enemy, they must also have their rewards. "

" 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. "

" 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. "

" 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. "

" The enlightened ruler is heedful, and the good general full of caution. "

" To see victory only when it is within the ken of the common herd is not the acme of excellence. "

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

" 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. "

" He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot, will be victorious. "

" The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim. "

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

" For 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. "

" When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce. "

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

" Confront them with annihilation, and they will then survive; plunge them into a deadly situation, and they will then live. When people fall into danger, they are then able to strive for victory. "

" It is essential to seek out enemy agents who have come to conduct espionage against you and to bribe them to serve you. Give them instructions and care for them. Thus doubled agents are recruited and used. "

" Hence that general is skilful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skilful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack. "

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

" 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. "

" Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster. "

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