"To capture the enemy's entire army is better than to destroy it; to take intact a regiment, a company, or a squad is better than to destroy them. For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the supreme of excellence. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the supreme excellence."
"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"
"Though we have heard of stupid haste in war, cleverness has never been seen associated with long delays."
"If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred 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."
"Hatred is gained as much by good works as by evil."
"He who blinded by ambition, raises himself to a position whence he cannot mount higher, must thereafter fall with the greatest loss."
"Men judge generally more by the eye than by the hand, for everyone can see and few can feel. Every one sees what you appear to be, few really know what you are. "
"I say a Prince should be slow to take action. And should watch that he does not come to be afraid of his own shadow."
"A prince should never flinch from being blamed for acts of ruthlessness which are necessary for safeguarding the state, and their own person. You must take these things so much to heart that you do not fear to strike even the very nearest that you have, if they be implicated."
"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"
"Though we have heard of stupid haste in war, cleverness has never been seen associated with long delays."
"If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred 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."
"Hatred is gained as much by good works as by evil."
"He who blinded by ambition, raises himself to a position whence he cannot mount higher, must thereafter fall with the greatest loss."
"Men judge generally more by the eye than by the hand, for everyone can see and few can feel. Every one sees what you appear to be, few really know what you are. "
"I say a Prince should be slow to take action. And should watch that he does not come to be afraid of his own shadow."
"A prince should never flinch from being blamed for acts of ruthlessness which are necessary for safeguarding the state, and their own person. You must take these things so much to heart that you do not fear to strike even the very nearest that you have, if they be implicated."