From Sun Tzu's The Art of War:
1. The art of war is of vital importance to the State.
2. It is said that if you know your enemies and know yourself, you will not be imperiled 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 imperiled in every single battle.
3. What is essential in war is quick victory. There is no instance of a nation benefiting from prolonged warfare.
4. The commander whose only thought is to protect his country is the jewel of the kingdom.
5. Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.
6. The rush of torrential waters tossing boulders illustrates force. A bird of prey's strike breaking the body of its
target illustrates timing. If combat is inevitable, the superior commander chooses the time and place of battle.
7. The ability to attack with maximum force at the best time and place depends on spies
Comments: Even today, since seismic events are not well understood, prospects of victory
are slim. Worse, there is no way to break the will of an earthquake. Worst of all, there is
no ability to choose time or place. Walls around the city of Singapore will not help. That
leaves spies. Reacting after an earthquake and tsunami waves have killed millions of
people and sunk hundreds of ships cannot be the best strategy.