Art

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The Art of War

• It is better to keep the peace than to make it.
• War is violence pushed to the ultimate extreme.
• Rulers ignorant of military matters must not participate in them.
• There are times in war when the ruler need not be obeyed.
• The object of war is swift victory, not drawn out limited action.
• A state exhausted by a long war tempts its neighbor to invade.
• It is better to subdue the enemy than to destroy him.
• A city captured intact is superior to taking smoking ruins.
• The army must drill as they fight or they will hesitate in battle.
• Never commit reinforcing troops and supplies piecemeal.
• Do not assume attack will not come but rather make yourself ready.
• Become as stone and quietly await your enemy's unprotected moment.
• A victorious army is a rushing flood which is perfectly governed.
• It is better to wait for the enemy to come than to rush out to meet him.
• Show yourself in places he must hurry to, tiring himself.
• Against a mysterious strategy the enemy must prepare everywhere.
• Provoke the enemy commander and determine his tendencies.
• Be without detectable pattern to frustrate his countermoves.
• Feed on the enemy to reduce the burden of transporting provisions.
• Know yourself, and pretend what you are not.
• Fake dormancy by concealing your activity.
• Present your troops as bait, as few when they are many.
• Appear ill-equipped when your army is fully capable.
• Put on a show of disorder to entice your enemy, then strike.
• It is only with great courage an army can show false cowardice.
• Encourage his cockiness with well-orchestrated false confusion.
• Attack where the enemy does not anticipate you.
• Move toward the battle by unexpected routes.
• Do not repeat tactics after a victory* Be unpredictable.
• If you outnumber your enemy divide him and attack.
• If equally matched, engage but be capable of withdrawing.
• If weaker, withdraw but be capable of eluding him.
• Move at random to shake loose opportunities, and grab them.
• Create spectacles to fix the attention of your troops.
• United, the brave will not rush ahead, cowards will not fall back.
• When he counterfeits a retreat, do not pursue.
• Leave an escape route to a surrounded enemy and they will retire.
• Fight downhill and downwind* Always take the high ground.
• Permit the taking of enemy booty as an incentive for your troops.