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1 " Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak. "
― Sun Tzu , The Art of War
2 " 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 not more than five primary colours, yet in combinationthey produce more hues than can ever been seen.There are not more than five cardinal tastes, yet combinations ofthem yield more flavours than can ever be tasted. "
3 " The wise warrior avoids the battle. "
4 " Even the finest sword plunged into salt water will eventually rust. "
― Sun Tzu
5 " Foreknowledge cannot be gotten from ghosts and spirits, cannot be had by analogy, cannot be found out by calculation. It must be obtained from people, people who know the conditions of the enemy. "
6 " One hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the most skillful, subduing the other's military without battle is the most skillful. "
7 " Supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting. "
8 " You can be sure of succeeding in your attacks if you only attack places which are undefended.You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked. "
9 " Engage people with what they expect; it is what they are able to discern and confirms their projections. It settles them into predictable patterns of response, occupying their minds while you wait for the extraordinary moment — that which they cannot anticipate. "
10 " The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting. "
11 " All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear 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. "
12 " If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is temperamental, 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 . "
13 " To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy. "
14 " There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare. "
15 " Move swift as the Wind and closely-formed as the Wood. Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain. "
16 " The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected. "
17 " When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard. "
18 " To win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill. "
19 " who wishes to fight must first count the cost "
20 " One mark of a great soldier is that he fight on his own terms or fights not at all. "
