Inspirational quotes from “the art of war”

Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.

Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.

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.

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 are near.

Pretend to be weak, that your enemy may grow arrogant. Attack your enemy where he is unprepared, appear where least expected.

Move swift as the Wind and closely-formed as the Wood. Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain.

When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.

Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” And not necessarily from the same book, but equally true “keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.