VNV Nation - Art Of Conflict lyrics

The art of war is of
Vital importance to the state
It is a matter of life and death
A road either to safety, or to ruin

To fight and conquer in all your
Battles is not supreme excellence
Supreme excellence consists of
Breaking the enemy's
Resistance without having to fight

If you know the enemy and know yourself
Your victory will not stand in doubt
If you know heaven and you know earth
You may make your victory

If you know the enemy and you know yourself
You need not fear the result
Of a hundred battles
If you know yourself, but not the
Enemy, for every victory gained
You will also suffer a defeat
If you know neither the enemy nor yourself
You will succumb in every battle

Treat your soldiers as your beloved children
And they will follow you
Into the deepest valleys
To defeat your enemy
You must pretend inferiority and
Encourage your enemy's arrogance
Making no mistakes is what establishes
The certainty of victory
For it means conquering an enemy
That is already defeated

There is no instance of a
Nation benefiting from prolonged warfare

Speed is the essence of war

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 our enemy

Not on the chance of
Our enemies not attacking
But rather on the fact that we
Have made our position unassailable

The general who advances
Without seeking fame
And who retreats without fear
Of disgrace - whose only thought
Is to protect his country
And do service for his sovereign -
Is the jewel of his kingdom

The victorious strategist only seeks battle
After the victory has been
Won whereas he who is destined
For defeat first fights
Then afterwards looks for victory

Speed is the essence of war

Only he who is thoroughly acquainted
With the evils of war
Can thoroughly understand how to
Profit from waging war