Chinese strategy explained : know yourself and the ennemy, use deception, spies, and "win with ease". Tr. Giles (en, annotated) and Amiot (fr).
Laying Plans
Ts`ao Kung, in defining the meaning of the Chinese for the title of this chapter, says it refers to the deliberations in the temple selected by the general for his temporary use, or as we should say, in his tent. See. ss. 26.
Now the general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought.1 The general who loses a battle makes but few calculations beforehand. Thus do many calculations lead to victory, and few calculations to defeat: how much more no calculation at all! It is by attention to this point that I can foresee who is likely to win or lose.
Giles I.26.
Que chacun se représente les évaluations faites dans le temple, avant les hostilités, comme des mesures : elles disent la victoire lorsqu'elles démontrent que votre force est supérieure à celle de l'ennemi ; elles indiquent la défaite lorsqu'elles démontrent qu'il est inférieur en force. Considérez qu'avec de nombreux calculs on peut remporter la victoire, redoutez leur insuffisance. Combien celui qui n'en fait point a peu de chances de gagner ! C'est grâce à cette méthode que j'examine la situation, et l'issue apparaîtra clairement.
Amiot
The Art of War – Sun Zi I. 13. – Chinese off/on – Français/English
Alias Sun Tzu, Sun Wu, Sun Tse, Sunzi Bingfa, Souen Tseu, Souen Wou, 孫武.
The Book of Odes, The Analects, Great Learning, Doctrine of the Mean, Three-characters book, The Book of Changes, The Way and its Power, 300 Tang Poems, The Art of War, Thirty-Six Strategies
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