Aggression unopposed becomes a contagious disease.
All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.
All war is based on deception.
As long as war is looked upon as wicked, it will always have its fascination. When it is looked on as vulgar, it will cease to be popular.
At the beginning of the twentieth century, people never questioned the effectiveness of war, never thought there could be real peace. Now, people are tired of war and see it as ineffective in solving anything.
Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent's fate.
For them to perceive the advantage of defeating the enemy, they must also have their rewards.
For to win one hundred victories in one hundred battles is not the acme of skill. To subdue the enemy without fighting is the acme of skill.
He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious.
He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot, will be victorious.
Hence that general is skilful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skilful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.
I am not opposed to all wars. I'm opposed to dumb wars.
I do not know with what weapons World War 3 will be fought, but World War 4 will be fought with sticks and stones.
I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.
I thought then, and I think now, that the invasion of Iraq was unnecessary and unjust. And I think the premises on which it was launched were false.
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