Chinese - Philosopher | B.C.545 - B.C.470
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.
Sun Tzu
GoodServiceThoughtCountryFame
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.
LifeArtDeathWarSafetyRoad
All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.
MenVictoryConquerStrategySee
Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared.
DeathNeedAwayDoubtsCalamity
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.
MoneyLongLongevitySoldiersOur
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.
WarVictoryBattleLooksDefeat
Confront them with annihilation, and they will then survive; plunge them into a deadly situation, and they will then live. When people fall into danger, they are then able to strive for victory.
LivePeopleVictorySurviveFall
If you are far from the enemy, make him believe you are near.
BelieveYouEnemyHimMakeFar
There has never been a protracted war from which a country has benefited.
WarCountryNeverBeenWhich
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.
ArmyMattersMoreSecretOperations
It is only the enlightened ruler and the wise general who will use the highest intelligence of the army for the purposes of spying, and thereby they achieve great results.
GreatIntelligenceWiseArmyResults
He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces.
WinWillSuperiorHandleWhoForces
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