Engage people with what they expect; it is what they are able to discern and confirms their projections. It settles them into predictable patterns of response, occupying their minds while you wait for the extraordinary moment - that which they cannot anticipate. (Sun Tzu, "The Art of War")
Even the finest sword plunged into salt water will eventually rust. (Sun Tzu, "The Art of War")
If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory complete. (Sun Tzu, "The Art of War")
If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. (Sun Tzu, "The Art of War")
Move swift as the Wind and closely-formed as the Wood. Attack like the Fire and be still as the Mountain. (Sun Tzu, "The Art of War")
The end and aim of spying in all its five varieties is knowledge of the enemy; and this knowledge can only be derived, in the first instance, from the converted spy. Hence it is essential that the converted spy be treated with the utmost liberality. (Sun Tzu, "The Art of War")
There is no instance of a country having benefited from prolonged warfare. (Sun Tzu, "The Art of War")
Those skilled at making the enemy move do so by creating a situation to which he must conform; they entice him with something he is certain to take, and with lures of ostensible profit they await him in strength. (Sun Tzu, "The Art of War")
Thus the expert in battle moves the enemy, and is not moved by him. (Sun Tzu, "The Art of War")