There is no instance of a nation benefitting from prolonged warfare.

The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.

Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.

In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy's country whole and intact to shatter and destroy it is not so good.

Thus it is that in war 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.

Thus, what is of supreme importance in war is to attack the enemy's strategy.

All war is based on deception.

There has never been a protracted war from which a country has benefited.

Secret operations are essential in war upon them the army relies to make its every move.