Sun Tzu

"Thus, what is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy's strategy."

"There has never been a protracted war from which a country has benefited."

"Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every move."

"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."

"The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting."

"There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare."

"Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory."

"All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved."

"Balk the enemy's power; force him to reveal himself."

"If our soldiers are not overburdened with money, it is not because they have a distaste for riches; if their lives are not unduly long, it is not because they are disinclined to longevity."

"If we know that our own men are in a condition to attack, but are unaware that the enemy is not open to attack, we have gone only halfway towards victory."

"Invincibility lies in the defence; the possibility of victory in the attack."

"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."

"Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared."

"Quickness is the essence of the war."

"Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look on them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death."

"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."

"Victory usually goes to the army who has better trained officers and men."