The Art of War (Illustrated Edition)

There is no instance of a country having benefitted from prolonged warfare.
7. It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils of war that can thoroughly understand the profitable way of carrying it on.

If he is taking his ease, give him no rest.

Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant

In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory.

Chang Yu said: “Knowing the enemy enables you to take the offensive, knowing yourself enables you to stand on the defensive.” He adds: “Attack is the secret of defense; defense is the planning of an attack.”

In all fighting, the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect methods will be needed in order to secure victory.

In respect of military method, we have, firstly, Measurement; secondly, Estimation of quantity; thirdly, Calculation; fourthly, Balancing of chances; fifthly, Victory.

Hence the skillful fighter puts himself into a position which makes defeat impossible, and does not miss the moment for defeating the enemy.

thing is to see the plant before it has germinated

Standing on the defensive indicates insufficient strength; attacking, a superabundance of strength.

a) He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.

He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces.

Now the general is the bulwark of the State; if the bulwark is complete at all points; the State will be strong; if the bulwark is defective, the State will be weak.

“If a general is ignorant of the principle of adaptability, he must not be entrusted with a position of authority.” Tu

supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting

When the enemy has made a plan of attack against us, we must anticipate him by delivering our own attack first.”

In war, then, let your great object be victory, not lengthy campaigns.

never be anything but foolish — if only because it means impoverishment to the nation

Rewards are necessary in order to make the soldiers see the advantage of beating the enemy; thus, when you capture spoils from the enemy, they must be used as rewards, so that all your men may have a keen desire to fight, each on his own account.

5. Thus, though we have heard of stupid haste in war, cleverness has never been seen associated with long delays.