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All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.

兵者，詭道也。故能而示之不能，用而示之不用，近而示之遠，遠而示之近，

Original text (Chinese)

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More quotes by Sun Tzu

All men can see these tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.

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

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.

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

Management of many is the same as management of few. It is a matter of organization.

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Attribution

Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Sun Tzu (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.