You can prevent your opponent from defeating you through defense, but you cannot defeat him without taking the offensive.
You cannot know if you will be successful or not. You can only prepare for battle and it must be done with all of your heart and with all of your consciousness. In that manner, you will have an edge.
Invincibility lies in the defense; the possibility of victory in the attack.
A battle avoided cannot be lost.
Attack the enemy's strategy.
If the mind is willing, the flesh could go on and on without many things.
Those who are victorious plan effectively and change decisively. They are like a great river that maintains its course but adjusts its flow...they have form but are formless. They are skilled in both planning and adapting and need not fear the result of a thousand battles: for they win in advance, defeating those that have already lost.
A military operation involves deception. Even though you are competent, appear to be incompetent. Though effective, appear to be ineffective.
He who relies solely on warlike measures shall be exterminated; he who relies solely on peaceful measures shall perish.
The opportunity to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands
If the enemy leaves a door open, you must rush in.
Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength.
Set the troops to their tasks without imparting your designs.
If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is tempermental, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. If sovereign and subject are in accord, put division between them. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.
One who speaks deferentially but increases his preparations will advance. One who speaks belligerently and advances hastily will retreat.
Nothing is more difficult than the art of maneuvering for advantageous positions.
Weigh the situation, then move.
So the principles of warfare are: Do not depend on the enemy not coming, but depend on our readiness against him. Do not depend on the enemy not attacking, but depend on our position that cannot be attacked.
When I have won a victory I do not repeat my tactics but respond to circumstances in an infinite variety of ways.
Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across.
The nature of war is constant change.
There are five dangerous faults which may affect a general: recklessness, which leads to destruction; cowardice, which leads to capture; a hasty temper, which can be provoked by insults; a delicacy of honour, which is sensitive to shame; over-solicitude for his men, which exposes him to worry and trouble.
If you know both yourself and your enemy, you can win a hundred battles without a single loss.
The skilful employer of men will employ the wise man, the brave man, the covetous man, and the stupid man.
When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.
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