All war is based on deception.
Sun Tzu
There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard. There are not more than five primary colours, yet in combinationthey produce more hues than can ever been seen. There are not more than five cardinal tastes, yet combinations ofthem yield more flavours than can ever be tasted.
diversity
Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
enemies inspire friends
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.
victory danger people
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.
money
war
Secret operations are essential in war; upon them the army relies to make its every move.
Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared.
doubt death
The skilful employer of men will employ the wise man, the brave man, the covetous man, and the stupid man.
man men
All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.
strategy victory men
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.
victory men
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.
men
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.
results purpose intelligence
The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.
quality
Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and you know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you now Heaven and you know Earth, you may make your victory complete.
doubt victory
The opportunity to secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
opportunity
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