#war

“怒而撓之 If your opponent is of choleric temperament, seek to irritate him.”

“將聽吾計，用之必勝，留之；將不聽吾計，用之必敗，去之； The general that hearkens to my counsel and acts upon it, will conquer: let such a one be retained in command! The general that hearkens not to my counsel nor acts upon it, will suffer defeat:”

“夫未戰而廟算勝者，得算多也；未戰而廟算不勝者，得算少也。 The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses makes but few calculations beforehand.”

“卑則驕之 Pretend inferiority and encourage his arrogance .”

“亂而取之 Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.”

“If his forces are united, separate them”

“實而備之，強而避之，怒而撓之，卑而驕之，佚而勞之，親而離之，出其不意，攻其不備。 If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is temperamental, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.”

“A military operation involves deception. Even though you are competent, appear to be incompetent. Though effective, appear to be ineffective.”

“兵者，詭道也。故能而示之不能，用而示之不用，近而示之遠，遠而示之近， All warfare is based on deception . Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.”

“兵者，國之大事 ，死生之地，存亡之道，不可不察也。 The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death , a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.”