The Art of War by
Sun Tzu, 600 BC.
[source]To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy.
Build your opponent a golden bridge to retreat across.
Speed is the essence of war. Take advantage of the enemy's unpreparedness; travel by unexpected routes and strike him where he has taken no precautions.
To a surrounded enemy, you must leave a way of escape.
If your opponent is of choleric temperament, seek to irritate him.
It is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperilled in a hundred battles; if you do not know your enemies but do know yourself, you will win one and lose one; if you do not know your enemies nor yourself, you will be imperilled in every single battle.
When the enemy is at ease, be able to weary him; when well fed, to starve him; when at rest, to make him move. Appear at places to which he must hasten; move swiftly where he does not expect you.
And therefore those skilled in war bring the enemy to the field of battle and are not brought there by him.