Chapter 69 Dyer
There is a saying among soldiers:
I dare not make the first move but would rather play the guest.
I dare not advance an inch but would rather withdraw a foot.
This is called going forward without advancing.
Pushing back without using weapons.
There is no greater misfortune than feeling I have an enemy.
For when I and enemy exist together there is no room left for my treasure.
Thus when two opponents meet the one without an enemy will surely triumph.
When armies are evenly matched the one with compassion wins.
Chapter 69 Henricks
1. Those who use weapons have a saying which goes:
2. "I don't presume to act like the host, and instead play the part of the guest;
3. I don't advance an inch, but rather retreat a foot."
4. This is called moving forward without moving forword—
5. Rolling up one's sleeves without baring one's arms—
6. Grasping firmly without holding a weapon—
7. And enticing to fight when there's no opponent.
8. Of disasters, none is greater than [thinking] you have no rival.
9. To think you have no rival is to come close to losing my treasures.
10. Therefore, when weapons are raised and [the opponents] are farily well matched,
11. Then it's the one who feels grief that will win.
Chapter 69 Lau
The strategists have a saying,
I dare not play the host but play the guest,
I dare not advance an inch but retreat a foot instead.
This is known as marching forward when there is no road,
Rolling up one's sleeves when there is no arm,
Dragging one's adversary by force when there is no adversary,
And taking up arms when there are no arms.
There is no disaster greater than taking on an enemy too easily.
So doing nearly cost me my treasure.
Thus of two sides raising arms against each other,
It is the one that is sorrow-stricken that wins.
Chapter 69 Wu
The strategists have a saying: I dare not be a host, but rather a guest; I dare not advance an inch, but rather retreat a foot.
This is called marching without moving,
Rolling up one's sleeves without baring one's arms,
Capturing the enemy without confronting him,
Holding a weapon that is invisible.
There is no greater calamity than to under-estimate the strength of your enemy.
For to under-estimate the strength of your enemy is to lose your treasure.
Therefore, when opposing troops meet in battle, victory belongs to the grieving side.