In ancient
times, those skilled in warfare make themselves invincible and then wait for the
enemy to become vulnerable.
Being invincible depends
on oneself, but the enemy becoming vulnerable depends on himself. ?
Therefore, those skilled
in warfare can make themselves invincible, but cannot necessarily cause the enemy
to be vulnerable.
Therefore it is said
one may know how to win but cannot necessarily do it. ?
One takes on invincibility
defending, one takes on vulnerability attacking. ?
One takes on sufficiency
defending, one takes on deficiency attacking. ?
Those skilled in defense
conceal themselves in the lowest depths of the Earth, Those skilled in attack
move in the highest reaches of the Heavens.
Therefore, they are able
to protect themselves and achieve complete victory. ?
Perceiving a victory
when it is perceived by all is not the highest excellence. ?
Winning battles such
that the whole world says "excellent"
is not the highest
excellence. ?
For lifting an autumn
down is not considered great strength, seeing the sun and the moon is not considered
a sign of sharp vision, hearing thunder is not considered a sign of sensitive
hearing. ?
In ancient times, those
who are skilled in warfare gained victory where victory was easily gained.
Therefore, the victories
from those skilled in warfare are not considered of great wisdom or courage, because
their victories have no miscalculations. ?
No miscalculations mean
the victories are certain, achieving victory over those who have already lost.
?
Therefore, those skilled
in warfare establish positions that make them invincible and do not miss opportunities
to attack the enemy. ?
Therefore, a victorious
army first obtains conditions for victory, then seeks to do battle.
A defeated army first
seeks to do battle, then obtains conditions for victory. ?
Those skilled in warfare
cultivate the Way, and preserve the Law, therefore, they govern victory and defeat.
?
The factors in warfare
are:
First, measurement, second,
quantity, third, calculation, fourth, comparison, and fifth, victory. ?
Measurements are derived
from Ground,
quantities are derived
from measurement,
calculations are derived
from quantities,
comparisons are derived
from calculations,
and victories are derived
from comparisons. ?
A victorious army is
like a ton against an ounce;
a defeated army is like
an ounce against a ton!
The victorious army is
like pent up waters released, bursting through a deep gorge.
This is formation. ?
