The enemy's spies who have come to spy on us must be sought out, tempted with bribes, led away and comfortably housed. Thus they will become double agents and available for our service. It is through the information brought by the double agent that we are able to acquire and employ local and inward spies. It is owing to his information, again, that we can cause the doomed spy to carry false tidings to the enemy.
Victory is the main object in war.
There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard.
There are three ways in which a ruler can bring misfortune on his army: By commanding the army to advance or to retreat, being ignorant of the fact that it cannot obey. This is called hobbling the army. By attempting to govern an army in the same way as he administers a kingdom, being ignorant of the conditions which obtain in an army. This causes restlessness in the soldier's minds. By employing the officers of his army without discrimination, through ignorance of the military principle of adaptation to circumstances. This shakes the confidence of the soldiers.
Thus the expert in battle moves the enemy, and is not moved by him.
A military operation involves deception. Even though you are competent, appear to be incompetent. Though effective, appear to be ineffective.
If words of command are not clear and distinct, if orders are not thoroughly understood, the general is to blame. But if his orders are clear, and the soldiers nevertheless disobey, then it is the fault of their officers.
Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared.
Factors in the art of warfare are: First, calculations; second, quantities; third, logistics; fourth, the balance of power; and fifth, the possibility of victory is based on the balance of power.
When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.
The expert in battle seeks his victory from strategic advantage and does not demand it from his men.
He who knows things, and in fighting puts his knowledge into practice, will win his battles. He who knows them not, nor practices them, will surely be defeated.
All war is deception.
The military has no constant form, just as water has no constant shape - adapt as you face the enemy, without letting them know beforehand what you are going to do.
Invincibility lies in the defense; the possibility of victory in the attack.
When one treats people with benevolence, justice and righteousness, and reposes confidence in them, the army will be united in mind and all will be happy to serve their leaders.
It is the business of a general to be serene and inscrutable, impartial and self-controlled.
To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.
If the enemy opens the door, you must race in.
Those who do not know the plans of competitors cannot prepare alliances. Those who do not know the lay of the land cannot maneuver their forces. Those who do not use local guides cannot take advantage of the ground.
What the ancients called a clever fighter is one who not only wins, but excels in winning with ease.
He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.
All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.
Go into emptiness, strike voids, bypass what he defends hit him where he does not expect you.
Generally, management of many is the same as management of few. It is a matter of organization. And to control many is the same as to control few. This is a matter of formations and signals.
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