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.
The art of using troops is this: ......When ten to the enemy's one, surround him; ......When five times his strength, attack him; ......If double his strength, divide him; ......If equally matched you may engage him; ......If weaker numerically, be capable of withdrawing; ......And if in all respects unequal, be capable of eluding him, ..........for a small force is but booty for one more powerful.
To a surrounded enemy, you must leave a way of escape.
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.
He who exercises no forethought but makes light of his opponents is sure to be captured by them.
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.
Rapidity is the essence of war: take advantage of the enemy's unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots.
He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.
Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance.
Go into emptiness, strike voids, bypass what he defends hit him where he does not expect you.
We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbors. We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country.
O divine art of subtlety and secrecy! Through you we learn to be invisible, through you inaudible and hence we can hold the enemy's fate in our hands.
All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.
For the wise man delights in establishing his merit, the brave man likes to show his courage in action, the covetous man is quick at seizing advantages, and the stupid man has no fear of death.
Winning isn't enough. The acme of all skill is to defeat your enemy before taking the field.
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.
If our soldiers are not overburdened with money, it is not because they have a distaste for riches; if their lives are not unduly long, it is not because they are disinclined to longevity.
Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions.
There are routes not to be followed, armies not to be attacked, citadels not to be besieged, territory not to be fought over.
When your opponent gives you an opening, be swift as a hare.
Attack where he is unprepared; sally forth when he does not expect you.
If the enemy opens the door, you must race in.
Keep their friends close and their enemies closer.
When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move.
Probe him and learn where his strength is abundant and where deficient.
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