ADJUSTING THE OPPONENT’S NUMBERS
The location we take to initiate a challenge must not be made known.
When opponents do not know our location,
They must prepare in many places.
When opponents must prepare in many places,
The location we take to initiate a challenge must not be made known.
When opponents do not know our location,
They must prepare in many places.
When opponents must prepare in many places,
There will be few at the location where we initiate a challenge.
Hence, when the front is prepared, there are fewer in back.
When the back is prepared, there are fewer in front.
When the left is prepared, there are fewer on the right.
Hence, when the front is prepared, there are fewer in back.
When the back is prepared, there are fewer in front.
When the left is prepared, there are fewer on the right.
When the right is prepared, there are fewer on the left.
When every location is prepared, every location will have fewer in place.
Those who are fewer are those who prepare against others.
Those who are numerous are those who make others prepare against them.
When every location is prepared, every location will have fewer in place.
Those who are fewer are those who prepare against others.
Those who are numerous are those who make others prepare against them.
Therefore, when the time and place of a challenge is known,
One can meet the challenge from a thousand miles away.
But when the time and place of a challenge is not known,
The left cannot rescue the right,
The right cannot rescue the left,
The front cannot rescue the back,
One can meet the challenge from a thousand miles away.
But when the time and place of a challenge is not known,
The left cannot rescue the right,
The right cannot rescue the left,
The front cannot rescue the back,
The back cannot rescue the front.
This is more so for those at a distance of several hundred miles,
And even so for those who are as near as a few miles!
This is more so for those at a distance of several hundred miles,
And even so for those who are as near as a few miles!
If, through measuring the Strategy of others,
We find their numbers to exceed our own,
Does this advantage indicate triumph or defeat?
It is said: “Triumph can be Managed.”
We find their numbers to exceed our own,
Does this advantage indicate triumph or defeat?
It is said: “Triumph can be Managed.”
Even when opponents are numerous they can be subdued.
Through manoeuvring, learn their calculations for gains and losses.
Through action, learn their policies for movement or silence.
Through Positioning, learn their areas of desperation and security.
Through manoeuvring, learn their calculations for gains and losses.
Through action, learn their policies for movement or silence.
Through Positioning, learn their areas of desperation and security.
Through contact, learn where they possess surplus or inadequacies.
Sun Tzu
The term exceed comes from the Chinese word yeah, which can also be translated as “to go beyond” or “even more.” Yeah is also the name of an ancient state of China, active about 500 BC.
Sun Tzu
The term exceed comes from the Chinese word yeah, which can also be translated as “to go beyond” or “even more.” Yeah is also the name of an ancient state of China, active about 500 BC.
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