"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."
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"It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. "
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"Fear the result of a 100 battles. If you know the enemy and know yourself you need not to fear the result of a 100 battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself you will succumb in every battle. "
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"To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence. Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy resistance without fighting. "
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"Hostile armies may face each other for years, striving for the victory which is decided in a single day. "
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"Throw your soldiers into position once there is no escape and they will prefer death to flight. "
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"Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing.
Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions."
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"All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we a$re near. "
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"Treat your men as you would your own beloved sons. And they will follow you into the deepest valley"
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Sun Tzu
