 The opportunity to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself. |
| 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 you know the enemy and know yourself you need not fear the results of a hundred battles. |
| All warfare is based on deception. |
| Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting. |
| The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom. |
| The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting. |
| Know thy self, know thy enemy. A thousand battles, a thousand victories. |
| For 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. |
| All war is based on deception. |
| Of all those in the army close to the commander none is more intimate than the secret agent; of all rewards none more liberal than those given to secret agents; of all matters none is more confidential than those relating to secret operations. |
| Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat. |
| Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance. |
| Can you imagine what I would do if I could do all I can? |
| When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce. |
| Opportunities multiply as they are seized. |
| The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses makes but few calculations beforehand. |
| You have to believe in yourself. |
| Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack. |
| Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster. |
