The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.
Engage people with what they expect; it is what they are able to discern and confirms their projections. It settles them into predictable patterns of response, occupying their minds while you wait for the extraordinary moment - that which they cannot anticipate.
Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.
It is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled in a hundred battles; if you do not know your enemies but do know yourself, you will win one and lose one; if you do not know your enemies nor yourself, you will be imperiled in every single battle.
When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.
Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night.
In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.
When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move.
Military tactics are like unto water; for water in its natural course runs away from high places and hastens downwards... Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing. Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions. He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be called a heaven-born captain.
If the mind is willing, the flesh could go on and on without many things.
What is essential in war is victory, not prolonged operations.
If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.
No ruler should put troops into the field merely to gratify his own spleen; no general should fight a battle simply out of pique.
All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem 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.
Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.
The good fighters of old first put themselves beyond the possibility of defeat, and then waited for an opportunity of defeating the enemy. To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. Thus the good fighter is able to secure himself against defeat, but cannot make certain of defeating the enemy.
He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.
If there is disturbance in the camp, the general's authority is weak. If the banners and flags are shifted about, sedition is afoot. If the officers are angry, it means that the men are weary.
The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.
When the enemy's envoy's speak in humble terms, but continues his preparations, he will advance. When their language is deceptive but the enemy pretentiously advances, he will retreat. When the envoys speak in apologetic terms, he wishes a respite. When without a previous understanding the enemy asks for a truce, he is plotting. When the enemy sees an advantage but does not advance to seize it, he is fatigued.
Do not engage an enemy more powerful than you. And if it is unavoidable and you do have to engage, then make sure you engage it on your terms, not on your enemy's terms.
Swift as the wind. Quiet as the forest. Conquer like the fire. Steady as the mountain
Don't flail against the world, use it. Flexibility is the operative principle in the art of war.
Be subtle! be subtle! and use your spies for every kind of business.
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.
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