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