The Art of War

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

"If you wait by the river long enough, the bodies of your enemies will float by."

"In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy's country whole and intact."

"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."

"To capture the enemy's entire army is better than to destroy it."

"It is a military principle, if ten times the enemy's strength, surround them; if five times, attack them; if double, divide them."

"Water shapes its course based on the ground over which it flows; the soldier wraps his tactics based on the enemy whom he is facing."

"The principle on which to manage an army is the same as that on which to manage a few men: divide their numbers."

"If the enemy leaves a door open, you must rush in."

"Treat your men as you would treat your own beloved sons."

"A wise general makes a point of enquiring whether the terrain is conducive to an ambuscade, whether it is a deathtrap, a isolated terrain, or a terrain intersected by steep ridges and valleys."

"If you wish to fight, the enemy can be forced to an engagement even if he is sheltered behind a high rampart and a deep ditch."

"Thus one may know that the leader of armies is the arbiter of the people's fate, the man on whom it depends whether the nation shall be rich or poor."

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

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

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

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

"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster."

"Convince your enemy that he is already defeated."

"It is easy to love your friend, but sometimes the hardest lesson to learn is how to love your enemy."

"Attack where he is unprepared; sally out when he does not expect you."

"To know your enemy, you must become your enemy."

"If the mind is willing, the flesh could go on and on without many things."

"Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength."

"Even the finest sword plunged into salt water will eventually rust."

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

"The Art of War teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him."

"Ponder and deliberate before you make a move."

"Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Keep your forces at the ready to prevent him from coming in."

"When capable, feign incapacity; when active, inactivity."