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Chinese Text Project
Simplified Chinese version
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Scope: Laying Plans Request type: Paragraph
Condition 1: Contains text "計利以聽乃為之勢以佐其外" Matched:1.
Total 1 paragraphs. Page 1 of 1.

《始计 - Laying Plans》

English translation: Lionel Giles [?] Library Resources
[Also known as: 《计》]

1 始计:
孙子曰:兵者,国之大事,死生之地,存亡之道,不可不察也。
Laying Plans:
Sunzi said: 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.

2 始计:
故经之以五事,校之以计,而索其情,一曰道,二曰天,三曰地,四曰将,五曰法。
Laying Plans:
The art of war, then, is governed by five constant factors, to be taken into account in one's deliberations, when seeking to determine the conditions obtaining in the field. These are: (1) The Moral Law; (2) Heaven; (3) Earth; (4) The Commander; (5) Method and discipline.

3 始计:
道者,令民与上同意也,可与之死,可与之生,而不畏危。天者,阴阳,寒暑,时制也。地者,远近,险易,广狭,死生也。将者,智,信,仁,勇,严也。法者,曲制,官道,主用也。凡此五者,将莫不闻,知之者胜,不知者不胜。
Laying Plans:
The Moral Law causes the people to be in complete accord with their ruler, so that they will follow him regardless of their lives, undismayed by any danger. Heaven signifies night and day, cold and heat, times and seasons. Earth comprises distances, great and small; danger and security; open ground and narrow passes; the chances of life and death. The Commander stands for the virtues of wisdom, sincerity, benevolence, courage and strictness. By method and discipline are to be understood the marshaling of the army in its proper subdivisions, the graduations of rank among the officers, the maintenance of roads by which supplies may reach the army, and the control of military expenditure. These five heads should be familiar to every general: he who knows them will be victorious; he who knows them not will fail.

4 始计:
故校之以计,而索其情。曰:主孰有道,将孰有能,天地孰得,法令孰行,兵众孰强,士卒孰练,赏罚孰明,吾以此知胜负矣。将听吾计,用之必胜,留之;将不听吾计,用之必败,去之。
Laying Plans:
Therefore, in your deliberations, when seeking to determine the military conditions, let them be made the basis of a comparison, in this wise: (1) Which of the two sovereigns is imbued with the Moral law? (2) Which of the two generals has most ability? (3) With whom lie the advantages derived from Heaven and Earth? (4) On which side is discipline most rigorously enforced? (5) Which army is stronger? (6) On which side are officers and men more highly trained? (7) In which army is there the greater constancy both in reward and punishment? By means of these seven considerations I can forecast victory or defeat. 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 - let such a one be dismissed!

5 始计:
计利以听,乃为之势,以佐其外;势者,因利而制权也。
Laying Plans:
While heading the profit of my counsel, avail yourself also of any helpful circumstances over and beyond the ordinary rules. According as circumstances are favorable, one should modify one's plans.

6 始计:
兵者,诡道也。故能而示之不能,用而示之不用,近而示之远,远而示之近。利而诱之,乱而取之,实而备之,强而避之,怒而挠之,卑而骄之,佚而劳之,亲而离之。攻其无备,出其不意,此兵家之胜,不可先传也。
Laying Plans:
All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem 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. Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him. If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is of choleric temper, 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. These military devices, leading to victory, must not be divulged beforehand.

7 始计:
夫未战而庙算胜者,得算多也;未战而庙算不胜者,得算少也;多算胜,少算不胜,而况于无算乎?吾以此观之,胜负见矣。
Laying Plans:
Now the general who wins a battle makes many calculations in his temple ere the battle is fought. 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.

Total 1 paragraphs. Page 1 of 1.