| |
Original |
Legge's
Translation |
Susuki's
Translation |
Goddard's
Translation |
| 1 |
用兵有言：「吾不敢為主而為客﹔ |
A master of the art of war has said, 'I do not dare to be the
host (to commence the war); I prefer to be the guest
(to act on the
defensive). I do not dare to advance an inch; I prefer
to retire a
foot.'
|
A military expert used to say: 'I dare not act as host [who takes the initiative]
but act as guest [with reserve]. I dare not advance
an inch, but I withdraw a foot." |
A military expert has said: I do not dare put myself forward as a host, but always
act as a guest. I hesitate to advance an inch, but
am willing to withdraw a foot. |
| 2 |
不敢進寸而退尺。」是謂行無行﹔攘無
臂﹔ |
This is called marshalling the ranks where there are no ranks; baring the arms
(to fight) where there are no arms to bare; grasping
the weapon where there is no weapon to grasp;
|
This is called marching without marching, threatening without arms, charging
without hostility, seizing without weapons.
|
This is advancing by not advancing, it is winning without arms, it is charging
without hostility, it is seizing without weapons.
|
| 3 |
扔無敵﹔執無兵。禍莫大于輕敵，輕敵几喪吾寶。 |
advancing against the enemy where there is no enemy. There is no calamity greater
than lightly engaging in war. To do that is near
losing (the gentleness) which is so precious.
|
No greater misfortune than making light of the enemy! When we make light of the
enemy, it is almost as though we had lost our treasure--[compassion].
|
There is no mistake greater than making light of an enemy. By making light of
an enemy we lose our treasure.
|
| 4 |
故抗兵相若，哀者
勝矣。 |
Thus it is that when opposing weapons are (actually) crossed, he who deplores
(the situation) conquers. |
Thus, if matched armies encounter one another, the one who does so in sorrow
is sure to conquer. |
Therefore when well-matched armies come to conflict, the one who is conscious
of his weakness conquers. |
