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 him; not on the chance of his not attacking, but rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable.
Even the finest sword plunged into salt water will eventually rust.
If ignorant both of your enemy and yourself, you are certain to be in peril.
He who knows when he can fight and when he cannot, will be victorious.
There has never been a protracted war from which a country has benefited.
If you are far from the enemy, make him believe you are near.