Art of Conflict

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.

To fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme 
excellence
Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's 
resistance without having to fight

If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will 
not stand in doubt
If you know heaven and you know Earth, you may make your 
victory

If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear 
results of a hundred battles
If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory 
gained you will also suffer defeat.
If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will 
succumb in every battle.

Treat your soldiers as your beloved children
And they will follow you into the deepest valleys.
To defeat your enemy, you must pretend inferiority and 
encourage your enemy's arrogance.

Making no mistakes is what establishes the certainty of 
victory
For it means conquering an enemy that is already defeated.

There is no instance of a nation benefiting from prolonged 
warfare.

Speed is the essence of war.

The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of 

the enemy's not coming,
But on our own readiness to receive our enemy;
Not on the chance of our enemies not attacking,
But rather on the fact that we have made our position 
unassailable.

The general who advances without seeking fame and retreats 
without fearing disgrace,
Whose only thought is to protect his country and do service
 for his sovereign,
Is the jewel of his kingdom.

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.

Speed is the essence of war.
Speed is the essence of war.

It is only one who is thoroughly acquainted with the evils 
of war
Who can thoroughly understand how to profit from waging 
war.