| Chinese Text Project |
《三疑 - Three doubts 》 | English translation: AI and Chinese Text Project users [?] | Library Resources Related resources |
| 1 | 三疑: |
武王問太公曰：「予欲立功，有三疑：恐力不能攻強，離親，散眾，為之奈何？」 太公曰：「因之，慎謀，用財。 夫攻強，必養之使強，益之使張。太強必折，太張必缺。攻強以強，離親以親，散眾以眾。 凡謀之道，周密為寶。設之以事，玩之以利，爭心必起。 欲離其親，因其所愛，與其寵人，與之所欲，示之所利，因以疏之，無使得志。彼貪利甚喜，遺疑乃止。 凡攻之道，必先塞其明，而後攻其強、毀其大，除民之害。淫之以色，啗之以利，養之以味，娛之以樂。 既離其親，必使遠民，勿使知謀。扶而納之，莫覺其意，然後可成。 惠施於民，必無愛財。民如牛馬，數餧食之，從而愛之。 心以啟智，智以啟財，財以啟眾，眾以啟賢。賢之有啟，以王天下。」 |
| King Wu asked Tai Gong, "I wish to accomplish great achievements, but I have three doubts: I fear my strength may not be sufficient to attack the strong, alienate close allies, and disperse my troops. What should I do?" Tai Gong said, "Follow the situation, deliberate carefully, and use resources wisely." To attack a strong enemy, one must first nurture its strength and encourage it to become more arrogant. When something becomes too strong, it will inevitably break; when overly inflated, it will surely collapse. To attack the strong by exploiting its own strength, to alienate close allies through their own closeness, and to disperse a large force due to its own size. The way of planning holds secrecy as the most precious asset. Set them a task, entice them with benefits, and their competitive desires will surely arise. To alienate a close ally, take advantage of what they love, befriend their favored individuals, offer them what they desire, and show them benefits. Then gradually distance yourself from them so that they cannot achieve their ambitions. When they become overly greedy for profit and delighted by it, doubts will be dispelled. The method of attack must first obscure their clarity, then strike at their strength and destroy their power, removing the harm to the people. Seduce them with beauty, tempt them with profit, indulge them in pleasures, and entertain them with music. After alienating their close allies, one must distance the people from them, ensuring they remain unaware of the strategy. Support and lead them in, without making them aware of your intent; only then can success be achieved. To bestow benefits upon the people, one must never cherish wealth. The people are like oxen and horses; feed them frequently, and they will follow and grow fond of you. Mind opens wisdom, wisdom opens wealth, wealth opens the people's support, and the people open access to virtuous individuals. When virtue is thus cultivated, one can become king over all under heaven." |
URN: ctp:liu-tao/san-yi