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An army may be likened to water, for just as flowing water avoids the heights and hastens to the lowlands, so an army avoids strength and strikes weakness.
Sun Tzu
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Sun Tzu
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Kingdom of Qi
Sun Wu
Sun Zi
Changqing
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To plan secretly, to move surreptitiously, to foil the enemy's intentions and balk his schemes, so that at last the day may be won without shedding a drop of blood.
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If those who are sent to draw water begin by drinking themselves, the army is suffering from thirst.
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These are the six ways of courting defeat - neglect to estimate the enemy's strength want of authority defective training unjustifiable anger nonobservance of discipline failure to use picked men.
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In peace prepare for war, in war prepare for peace. The art of war is of vital importance to the state. It is matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence under no circumstances can it be neglected.
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Therefore a victorious army first wins and then seeks battle a defeated army first battles and then seeks victory.
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Those who are victorious plan effectively and change decisively. They are like a great river that maintains its course but adjusts its flow.
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Fierce language and pretentious advances are signs that the enemy is about to retreat.
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So the principles of warfare are: Do not depend on the enemy not coming, but depend on our readiness against him. Do not depend on the enemy not attacking, but depend on our position that cannot be attacked.
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He must be able to mystify his officers and men by false reports and appearances, and thus keep them in total ignorance.
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Move not unless you see an advantage use not your troops unless there is something to be gained fight not unless the position is critical.
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Plan for what is difficult while it is easy, do what is great while it is small.
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He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign.
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When the higher officers are angry and insubordinate, and on meeting the enemy give battle on their own account from a feeling of resentment, before the commander-in-chief can tell whether or not he is in a position to fight, the result is ruin.
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The general that hearkens to my counsel and acts upon it, will conquer: let such a one be retained in command! The general that hearkens not to my counsel nor acts upon it, will suffer defeat: - let such a one be dismissed!
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Do not engage an enemy more powerful than you. And if it is unavoidable and you do have to engage, then make sure you engage it on your terms, not on your enemy's terms.
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A battle avoided cannot be lost.
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Someone unfamiliar with the mountains and forests cannot advance [the team]. One who does not employ local guides cannot gain the advantage.
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