862 Quotes About Deception

Now war is based on deception. Move when it is advantageous and create changes in the situation by dispersal and concentration of forces. When campaigning, be swift as the wind; in leisurely march, majestic as the forest; in raiding and plundering, like fire; in standing, firm as the mountains. As unfathomable as the clouds, move like a thunderbolt. When you plunder the countryside, divide your forces. When you conquer territory, divide the profits. Weigh the situation, then move.

To a surrounded enemy you must leave a way of escape. Show him there is a road to safety, and so create in his mind the idea that there is an alternative to death. Then strike.

The crux of military operations lies in the pretense of accommodating one's self to the designs of the enemy.

When the enemy presents an opportunity, speedily take advantage of it. Anticipate him in seizing something he values and move in accordance with a date secretly fixed. The doctrine of war is to follow the enemy situation in order to decide on battle. Therefore at first be shy as a maiden. When the enemy gives you an opening be swift as a hare and he will be unable to withstand you.

Truth has legs that are longer than any of our lies. In time it will catch up to us, not because the truth has longer legs, but because lies haven’t got a ‘leg to stand on’ much less any legs to run on.

Nor was the monster public the only one deceived.

He makes promises, lots of them. None of them he can keep.

He’ll see right through the perfect mess that you are, and once he does, don’t come crying to me.

Let’s hope 2018 will be a better year.' I don’t know why this statement sounds to me as one full of defeat and hopelessness. It is a statement that many people repeat one year after another, even though they know deep inside that it is a fake form of optimism we console ourselves with, like a scared child singing in a dark alley to keep himself distracted from darkness.