Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows;
Just as water retains no constant shape,
so in warfare there are no constant conditions.
In peace prepare for war, in war prepare for peace.
The art of war is of vital importance to the state,
it is a matter of life & death,
a road to either safety or ruin.
Hence under no circumstances can it be neglected.
By altering your arrangements & changing your plans,
the skillful general keeps the enemy without definite knowledge,
by shifting your course of action you keep the enemy from anticipating your moves.
All warfare is based on deception;
When able to attack, we must seem unable.
When using our forces, we must seem inactive.
When we are near, make the enemy believe we are far.
When far, make him think you are near.
If he is superior in strength, evade him.
If your enemy has a temper, irritate him.
Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.
If his forces are united, seperate them.
Attack him where he is unprepared.
Appear where you are not expected.
What enables the wise sovereign & the good general to strike & conquer,
what enables the victor to achieve things beyond the reach of ordinary men,
is foreknowledge.
Spies are the most important element in war,
because upon them depends an army's ability to move.
He will conquer who has learned the artifice of deviation,
such is the art of maneuvering.
Practice dissimulation & you will succeed.
Ponder & deliberate before you move,
Move if only there is an advantage to be gained.
Wether to concentrate or to divide your troops,
must be decided by circumstances.
Let your rapidity be that of the wind,
your compactness be that of the forest,
in raiding & fighting be like a fire,
in immovability be like a mountain.
When you move, fall like a thunderbolt.
If you know the enemy & 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.
When you surround an army, leave an outlet free.
Make him believe that there is a road to safety,
for you should not press a desperate foe too hard.
To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands,
the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
He will be victorious in war who knows
when to fight & when not to fight.
Supreme excellence consists in breaking
the enemy's resistance without fighting.
Sun Tzu, The Art of War
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