To be prepared for war is one of the most effective means of preserving peace.
It is an unfortunate fact that we can secure peace only by preparing for war.
Our modern states are preparing for war without even knowing the future enemy.
When they are preparing for war, those who rule by force speak most copiously about peace until they have completed the mobilization process.
There never was a good war or a bad revolution.
You cannot simultaneously prevent and prepare for war.
Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.
By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.
Let him who desires peace prepare for war.
When American presidents prepare for foreign wars, they lie.
Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance.
Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.
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.
Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.
To secure peace is to prepare for war.
You cannot prevent and prepare for war at the same time.
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.
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.
Politics is the womb in which war develops.
Rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him
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