The Art of War

"Move swift as the Wind and closely-formed as the Wood."

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

"The skillful fighter puts himself into a position which makes defeat impossible."

"Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak."

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

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

"In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity."

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

"Know your enemy and know yourself; in a hundred battles, you will never be defeated."

"All warfare is based on deception."

"Opportunities multiply as they are seized."

"A truly wise general never lets his troops rest during peacetime."

"The commander of forces is the arbiter of the people's fate."

"Reward your soldiers generously and care for them; they will follow you unto death."

"Thus the skillful fighter puts himself into a position which makes defeat impossible, and does not miss the moment for defeating the enemy."

"The clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed upon him."

"A wise general makes a point of feeding on the enemy."

"In war, the general must depend on his ability to manage both the physical and psychological conditions of his army."

"Weaken him by the infliction of suffering."

"The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without spilling blood."

"The general who is skilled in defense hides in the most secret recesses of the earth."

"Those who are skilled in war subdue the enemy's army without any fighting."

"Water shapes its course based on the ground over which it flows; the soldier shapes his victory based on the foe which he is facing."

"Military tactics are like unto water; for water in its natural course runs away from high places and hastens downwards."

"A clever general, therefore, avoids his strength and attacks his weakness."

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

"In conflict, straightforward actions generally produce successful battles; surprise actions generally lead to extraordinary victories."

"Make no demonstration until the enemy has fully disclosed his position."

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

"It is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general that will use the highest intelligence of the army for purposes of spying."