"All warfare is based on deception."

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

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

"First lay plans which will ensure victory, and then lead your army to battle; if you will not begin with stratagem but rely on brute strength alone, victory will no longer be assured."

"Who does not know the evils of war cannot appreciate its benefits."

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

"Of all those in the army close to the commander none is more intimate than the secret agent; of all rewards none more liberal than those given to secret agents; of all matters none is more confidential than those relating to secret operations."

"The opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself."

"To begin by bluster, but afterwards to take fright at the enemy's numbers, shows a supreme lack of intelligence."

"Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected."

"If equally matched, we can offer battle; if slightly inferior in numbers, we can avoid the enemy; if quite unequal in every way, we can flee from him. Though an obstinate fight may be made by a small force, in the end it must be captured by the larger force."

"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."

"The Moral Law causes the people to be in complete accord with their ruler, so that they will follow him regardless of their lives, undismayed by any danger."

"If his forces are united, separate them."

"The skilful employer of men will employ the wise man, the brave man, the covetous man, and the stupid man."

"Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted."

"If we wish to wrest an advantage from the enemy, we must not fix our minds on that alone, but allow for the possibility of the enemy also doing some harm to us, and let this enter as a factor into our calculations."

"Understand both yourself and your enemy, and you shall always emerge victorious."

"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."

"All war is based on deception."

"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."

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

"You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked."

"Danger has a bracing effect."

"At first, then, exhibit the coyness of a maiden, until the enemy gives you an opening; afterwards emulate the rapidity of a running hare, and it will be too late for the enemy to oppose you."

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

"Knowing the enemy enables you to take the offensive, knowing yourself enables you to stand on the defensive."

"When your army has crossed the border, you should burn your boats and bridges, in order to make it clear to everybody that you have no hankering after home."

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

"Appear at points which the enemy must hasten to defend, march swiftly to places where you are not expected."

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

"Now the reason the enlightened prince and the wise general conquer the enemy whenever they move and their achievements surpass those of ordinary men is foreknowledge."

"For should the enemy strengthen his van, he will weaken his rear; should he strengthen his rear, he will weaken his van; should he strengthen his left, he will weaken his right; should he strengthen his right, he will weaken his left. If he sends reinforcements everywhere, he will everywhere be weak."

"When the common soldiers are too strong and their officers too weak, the result is INSUBORDINATION."

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

"There are not more than five primary colors (blue, yellow, red, white, and black), yet in combination they produce more hues than can ever been seen."

"Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every move."

"Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating ourselves to the enemy's purpose."

"When an invading force crosses a river in its onward march, do not advance to meet it in mid-stream. It will be best to let half the army get across, and then deliver your attack."

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

"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; not on the chance of his not attacking, but rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable."

"Victory usually goes to the army who has better trained officers and men."

"We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbors."

"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."

"He who advances without seeking fame,Who retreats without escaping blame,He whose one aim is to protect his people and serve his lord,The man is a jewel of the Realm."

"Quickness is the essence of the war."

"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."

"War is like a fire - if you do not put it out, it will burn itself out."

"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."