1. “To know your enemy, you must become your enemy.”
2. “Even the finest sword plunged into salt water will eventually rust.”
3. “The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.”
4. “He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks.”
5. “Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.”
6. “Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.”
7. “There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.”
8. “Supreme excellence consists of breaking the enemy’s resistance without fighting.”
9. “Opportunities multiply as they are seized.”
10. “When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move.”
11. “Attack is the secret of defense; defense is the planning of an attack.”
12. “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”
13. “Know your enemy and know yourself and you can fight a hundred battles without disaster.”
14. “One may know how to conquer without being able to do it.”
15. “Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.“
16. “When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce.”
17. “The enlightened ruler is heedful and the good general full of caution.”
18. “If you are far from the enemy, make him believe you are near.”
19. “He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces.”
20. “There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.”
