Sun Tzu

Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack.

Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of victory, for it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated.

We cannot enter into alliance with neighbouring princes until we are acquainted with their designs. We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country - its mountains and forests, its pitfalls and precipices, its marshes and swamps. We shall be unable to turn natural advantages to account unless we make use of local guides.

When campaigning, be swift as the wind; in leisurely march, majestic as the forest; in raiding and plundering, like fire; in standing, firm as the mountains. As unfathomable as the clouds, move like a thunderbolt.

It is a doctrine of war not to assume the enemy will not come, but rather to rely on one's readiness to meet him; not to presume that he will not attack, but rather to make one's self invincible.

Of old the expert in battle would first make himself invincible and then wait for his enemy to expose his vulnerability.

If a general shows confidence in his men but always insists on his orders being obeyed, the gain will be mutual.

Quickness is the essence of the war.

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

A good commander is benevolent and unconcerned with fame.

The line between disorder and order lies in logistics.

Know thy self, know thy enemy.

The proximity of an army causes prices to go up; and high prices cause people's substance to be drained away. When their substance is drained away, they will be afflicted by heavy exactions. With this loss of substance and exhaustion of strength, the homes of the people will be stripped bare, and their incomes dissipated.

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

If an enemy has alliances, the problem is grave and the enemy's position strong; if he has no alliances, the problem is minor and the enemy's position weak.

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.

When the common soldiers are too strong and their officers too weak, the result is insubordination. When the officers are too strong and the common soldiers too weak, the result is collapse.

If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle

If you know both yourself and your enemy, you can win a hundred battles without a single loss.

Who can determine where one ends and the other begins?

Appraise war in terms of the fundamental factors. The first of these factors is moral influence.