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孫子武者，齊人也。以兵法見於吳王闔廬。闔廬曰：「子之十三篇，吾盡觀之矣，可以小試勒兵乎？」對曰：「可。」闔廬曰：「可試以婦人乎？」曰：「可。」於是許之，出宮中美女，得百八十人。孫子分為二隊，以王之寵姬二人各為隊長，皆令持戟。令之曰：「汝知而心與左右手背乎？」婦人曰：「知之。」孫子曰：「前，則視心；左，視左手；右，視右手；後，即視背。」婦人曰：「諾。」約束既布，乃設鈇鉞，即三令五申之。於是鼓之右，婦人大笑。孫子曰：「約束不明，申令不熟，將之罪也。」復三令五申而鼓之左，婦人復大笑。孫子曰：「約束不明，申令不熟，將之罪也；既已明而不如法者，吏士之罪也。」乃欲斬左右隊長。吳王從臺上觀，見且斬愛姬，大駭。趣使使下令曰：「寡人已知將軍能用兵矣。寡人非此二姬，食不甘味，願勿斬也。」孫子曰：「臣既已受命為將，將在軍，君命有所不受。」遂斬隊長二人以徇。用其次為隊長，於是復鼓之。婦人左右前後跪起皆中規矩繩墨，無敢出聲。於是孫子使使報王曰：「兵既整齊，王可試下觀之，唯王所欲用之，雖赴水火猶可也。」吳王曰：「將軍罷休就舍，寡人不願下觀。」孫子曰：「王徒好其言，不能用其實。」於是闔廬知孫子能用兵，卒以為將。西破彊楚，入郢，北威齊晉，顯名諸侯，孫子與有力焉。 |
| | Sun Zi Wu was a native of Qi. He presented his theories on military strategy to King Helu of Wu. King Helu said, "I have read all thirteen chapters of your work; may we test them on a small scale with troops?" He replied, "Yes." King Helu said, "Can we test it with women?" He said, "Yes." Thus he was granted permission. The king summoned beautiful women from the palace, and a total of 180 were obtained. Sun Zi divided them into two units, appointing the king's two favorite concubines as captains of each unit, and ordered all to carry halberds. He gave orders saying, "Do you know your hearts and the positions of your left and right hands and backs?" The women replied, "We do." Sun Zi said, "When I say 'Forward,' look at your hearts; 'Left,' look at your left hands; 'Right,' look at your right hands; "Backward, then look at your backs." The women said, "Yes, sir." After the commands were given, he set up axes and hammers for punishment, then issued them three times with five repetitions each. Then, when the drum was beaten to signal "Right," the women burst into laughter. Sun Zi said, "If the commands are not clear and the orders not thoroughly explained, that is the general's fault." He repeated the three commands with five explanations each and then beat the drum for "Left," but the women laughed again. Sun Zi said, "If the commands are not clear, and the orders not thoroughly explained—that is the general's fault; once they have been clearly given but still not followed properly, that is the soldiers' and officers' fault." He then ordered to execute the captains of both units. King Wu was watching from a pavilion and, upon seeing that his beloved concubines were about to be executed, became greatly alarmed. He hurriedly sent an envoy to issue orders saying, "I now know that the general is capable of commanding troops. Without these two concubines, my meals tasteless and I cannot enjoy them; I beg you not to execute them." Sun Zi said, "I have already accepted the command as general. When a general is in the field, he does not always obey the sovereign's orders." He then executed the two captains and displayed their bodies to make an example of them. He appointed the next in line as new captains, and then beat the drum again. The women moved left, right, forward, backward, knelt, and stood in perfect accordance with the rules and standards, not daring to make a sound. Sun Zi then sent an envoy to report to the king, saying, "The troops are now well-disciplined. Your Majesty may come down and observe them personally. They can be used as you wish; even if ordered into water or fire, they will obey." King Wu said, "General, you may now rest and return to your quarters. I do not wish to come down and watch." Sun Zi said, "The king merely likes the words but cannot use their true meaning." Thus King Helu knew that Sun Zi was capable of commanding troops and finally appointed him as general. To the west, he defeated the powerful state of Chu, entering Ying; to the north, he intimidated Qi and Jin, gaining fame among the feudal lords. Sun Zi played a significant role in these achievements.
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孫武既死，後百餘歲有孫臏。臏生阿鄄之閒，臏亦孫武之後世子孫也。孫臏嘗與龐涓俱學兵法。龐涓既事魏，得為惠王將軍，而自以為能不及孫臏，乃陰使召孫臏。臏至，龐涓恐其賢於己，疾之，則以法刑斷其兩足而黥之，欲隱勿見。 |
| | After Sun Wu's death, more than one hundred years later there was Sun Bin. Sun Bin was born between A and Juan; he too was a descendant of the later generations of Sun Wu. Sun Bin once studied military strategy together with Pang Juan. After Pang Juan served the state of Wei, he became a general under King Hui. However, believing his own abilities to be inferior to Sun Bin's, he secretly sent for him. When Sun Bin arrived, Pang Juan feared that he was more capable than himself and resented him. He then had him punished by cutting off both his feet and tattooing his face, intending to keep him hidden from view.
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齊使者如梁，孫臏以刑徒陰見，說齊使。齊使以為奇，竊載與之齊。齊將田忌善而客待之。忌數與齊諸公子馳逐重射。孫子見其馬足不甚相遠，馬有上、中、下、輩。於是孫子謂田忌曰：「君弟重射，臣能令君勝。」田忌信然之，與王及諸公子逐射千金。及臨質，孫子曰：「今以君之下駟與彼上駟，取君上駟與彼中駟，取君中駟與彼下駟。」既馳三輩畢，而田忌一不勝而再勝，卒得王千金。於是忌進孫子於威王。威王問兵法，遂以為師。 |
| | A Qi envoy was sent to Liang, and Sun Bin secretly met with the envoy in his capacity as a penal prisoner, persuading him. The Qi envoy found him remarkable and secretly transported him back to Qi. Tian Ji, a general of Qi, treated Sun Bin kindly as a guest. Tian Ji often raced against the sons of high-ranking officials in Qi with heavy wagers involved. Sun Zi observed that their horses were not greatly different in speed, and noted that the horses could be classified into superior, medium, and inferior ranks. Sun Zi then said to Tian Ji, "You may place a heavy wager; I can ensure your victory." Tian Ji believed him and placed a bet of one thousand gold pieces with the king and other nobles. When the race was about to begin, Sun Zi said, "Now use your inferior horse against their superior one; take your superior horse and match it against their medium one; and take your medium horse and match it against their inferior one." After the three heats, Tian Ji lost once but won twice, ultimately winning a thousand gold pieces from the king. Tian Ji then recommended Sun Zi to King Wei. King Wei asked about military strategy, and thus appointed him as his teacher.
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其後魏伐趙，趙急，請救於齊。齊威王欲將孫臏，臏辭謝曰：「刑餘之人不可。」於是乃以田忌為將，而孫子為師，居輜車中，坐為計謀。田忌欲引兵之趙，孫子曰：「夫解雜亂紛糾者不控棬，救鬬者不搏撠，批亢擣虛，形格勢禁，則自為解耳。今梁趙相攻，輕兵銳卒必竭於外，老弱罷於內。君不若引兵疾走大梁，據其街路，衝其方虛，彼必釋趙而自救。是我一舉解趙之圍而收獘於魏也。」田忌從之，魏果去邯鄲，與齊戰於桂陵，大破梁軍。 |
| | Later, when Wei attacked Zhao, the situation became dire for Zhao, which then requested aid from Qi. King Wei of Qi wanted to appoint Sun Bin as general, but Sun Bin declined, saying, "A man who has been punished cannot do so." Thus they appointed Tian Ji as general and Sun Zi as military advisor, who remained in a supply wagon, seated to devise strategies. Tian Ji wanted to lead the troops directly to Zhao, but Sun Zi said, "To untangle a complicated knot, one should not grasp it tightly; to rescue those in combat, one need not join the fray. Strike at their vulnerable points and exploit their weaknesses. When the situation is blocked and the enemy's strength restrained, they will resolve themselves naturally." Now that Wei and Zhao are fighting each other, their light troops and elite soldiers must be exhausted in the field, while the elderly and weak remain inside. You would do better to lead your troops quickly toward Daliang, occupy its roads and passages, and strike where they are weakest. They will then have no choice but to abandon Zhao and return to defend themselves. This way, with one move we can relieve the siege of Zhao and gain an advantage over Wei." Tian Ji followed his advice, and as expected, Wei withdrew from Handan. The two sides then engaged in battle at Guiling, where the Qi forces decisively defeated the Wei army.
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後十三歲，魏與趙攻韓，韓告急於齊。齊使田忌將而往，直走大梁。魏將龐涓聞之，去韓而歸，齊軍既已過而西矣。孫子謂田忌曰：「彼三晉之兵素悍勇而輕齊，齊號為怯，善戰者因其勢而利導之。兵法，百里而趣利者蹶上將，五十里而趣利者軍半至。使齊軍入魏地為十萬灶，明日為五萬灶，又明日為三萬灶。」龐涓行三日，大喜，曰：「我固知齊軍怯，入吾地三日，士卒亡者過半矣。」乃棄其步軍，與其輕銳倍日并行逐之。孫子度其行，暮當至馬陵。馬陵道陜，而旁多阻隘，可伏兵，乃斫大樹白而書之曰「龐涓死于此樹之下」。於是令齊軍善射者萬弩，夾道而伏，期曰「暮見火舉而俱發」。龐涓果夜至斫木下，見白書，乃鉆火燭之。讀其書未畢，齊軍萬弩俱發，魏軍大亂相失。龐涓自知智窮兵敗，乃自剄，曰：「遂成豎子之名！」齊因乘勝盡破其軍，虜魏太子申以歸。孫臏以此名顯天下，世傳其兵法。 |
| | Thirteen years later, Wei and Zhao attacked Han, and Han urgently requested aid from Qi. Qi sent Tian Ji to lead the forces there, marching directly toward Daliang. Pang Juan of Wei heard about it and withdrew from Han to return, but the Qi army had already passed by and moved westward. Sun Zi said to Tian Ji, "The armies of the three Jin states have always been fierce and bold in battle, yet they look down on Qi. Qi is known as timid; a skilled general should take advantage of their momentum and guide it to his benefit." According to the art of war, an army marching a hundred li for profit will lose its commanding general; one marching fifty li for profit will have only half its troops arrive. "Order the Qi army to make ten thousand cooking fires when entering Wei territory, five thousand the next day, and three thousand on the following day." After marching for three days, Pang Juan rejoiced and said, "I have always known the Qi army to be timid. After entering my territory for just three days, more than half their soldiers have already fled." He then abandoned his infantry and led his light and elite troops at double speed to pursue them. Sun Zi estimated the distance of their march and predicted that by dusk they would arrive at Maling. The road to Maling was narrow, with many obstacles and choke points on the sides—ideal for an ambush. He then felled a large tree, whitewashed it, and wrote on it: "Pang Juan will die beneath this tree." He then ordered ten thousand archers from the Qi army to lie in ambush on both sides of the road, instructing them: "At dusk, when you see a fire lit, shoot together." As expected, Pang Juan arrived at night beneath the felled tree and saw the white writing. He then lit a fire to illuminate it. Before he had finished reading, the ten thousand Qi archers shot simultaneously, causing great chaos and disarray in the Wei army. Pang Juan realized that his strategy had failed and his troops were defeated, so he took his own life, saying, "Thus I have completed the name of this upstart!" Qi then capitalized on its victory to completely defeat the Wei forces and captured Crown Prince Shen of Wei, bringing him back. Sun Bin thus became famous throughout the land, and his military strategies were passed down through generations.
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吳起者，衛人也，好用兵。嘗學於曾子，事魯君。齊人攻魯，魯欲將吳起，吳起取齊女為妻，而魯疑之。吳起於是欲就名，遂殺其妻，以明不與齊也。魯卒以為將。將而攻齊，大破之。 |
| | Wu Qi was a native of Wei; he loved to study the art of war. He once studied under Zengzi and served King Lu. When the people of Qi attacked Lu, Lu wanted to appoint Wu Qi as general. However, Wu Qi had married a woman from Qi, and this caused suspicion in Lu. To prove his loyalty and gain recognition, Wu Qi then killed his wife to demonstrate that he would not side with Qi. Lu finally appointed him as general. He led the army in an attack on Qi and decisively defeated them.
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魯人或惡吳起曰：「起之為人，猜忍人也。其少時，家累千金，游仕不遂，遂破其家，鄉黨笑之，吳起殺其謗己者三十餘人，而東出衛郭門。與其母訣，齧臂而盟曰：『起不為卿相，不復入衛。』遂事曾子。居頃之，其母死，起終不歸。曾子薄之，而與起絕。起乃之魯，學兵法以事魯君。魯君疑之，起殺妻以求將。夫魯小國，而有戰勝之名，則諸侯圖魯矣。且魯衛兄弟之國也，而君用起，則是棄衛。」魯君疑之，謝吳起。 |
| | Some people of Lu criticized Wu Qi, saying, "Wu Qi's character is suspicious and ruthless. When he was young, his family had amassed a fortune of thousands of gold pieces. After failing to secure an official post while traveling and seeking employment, he squandered the wealth. Mocked by his fellow townspeople, Wu Qi killed more than thirty men who had slandered him before leaving Weishui Gate in Wei heading east." Before parting with his mother, he bit his arm and swore an oath: "If Wu Qi does not become a high-ranking official or minister, I will never return to Wei again." He then went on to study under Zengzi. After a short while, his mother died, but Wu Qi never returned home. Zengzi disapproved of this and severed ties with him. Wu Qi then went to Lu, studied the art of war, and served King Lu. King Lu doubted him, so Wu Qi killed his wife in order to be appointed as general. Lu was a small state; if it gained the reputation of having won military victories, other feudal lords would plot against Lu. Moreover, Lu and Wei were allied states like brothers; if your Majesty employs Wu Qi, it means abandoning Wei." King Lu remained doubtful and dismissed Wu Qi.
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吳起於是聞魏文侯賢，欲事之。文侯問李克曰：「吳起何如人哉？」李克曰：「起貪而好色，然用兵司馬穰苴不能過也。」於是魏文候以為將，擊秦，拔五城。 |
| | Wu Qi then heard that King Wenhou of Wei was virtuous, and wished to serve him. King Wenhou asked Li Ke, "What sort of man is Wu Qi?" Li Ke replied, "Wu Qi is greedy and fond of women, but in the art of war, even Sima Rangju cannot surpass him." Thus King Wenhou of Wei appointed Wu Qi as general. He attacked Qin and captured five cities.
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起之為將，與士卒最下者同衣食。臥不設席，行不騎乘，親裹贏糧，與士卒分勞苦。卒有病疽者，起為吮之。卒母聞而哭之。人曰：「子卒也，而將軍自吮其疽，何哭為？」母曰：「非然也。往年吳公吮其父，其父戰不旋踵，遂死於敵。吳公今又吮其子，妾不知其死所矣。是以哭之。」 |
| | As a general, Wu Qi shared the same clothes and food with his lowest-ranking soldiers. He did not sleep on a mat, did not ride a horse when traveling, personally wrapped up provisions for the wounded, and shared hardships with his soldiers. When one of his soldiers developed an abscess, Wu Qi suckled out the pus to treat him. The soldier's mother heard about this and wept. Someone asked, "He is your son, yet the general personally suckled his wound—why are you crying?" The mother replied, "It's not like that. Last year General Wu suckled my husband's wound; my husband fought without turning his back and was killed by the enemy." "Now General Wu is again suckling my son's wound. I do not know where he will die." That is why I am crying."
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文侯以吳起善用兵，廉平，盡能得士心，乃以為西河守，以拒秦、韓。 |
| | King Wenhou, recognizing Wu Qi's skill in military affairs, his integrity and fairness, and his ability to win the hearts of soldiers, appointed him as governor of Xihe to resist Qin and Han.
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魏文侯既卒，起事其子武侯。武侯浮西河而下，中流，顧而謂吳起曰：「美哉乎山河之固，此魏國之寶也！」起對曰：「在德不在險。昔三苗氏左洞庭，右彭蠡，德義不修，禹滅之。夏桀之居，左河濟，右泰華，伊闕在其南，羊腸在其北，修政不仁，湯放之。殷紂之國，左孟門，右太行，常山在其北，大河經其南，修政不德，武王殺之。由此觀之，在德不在險。若君不修德，舟中之人盡為敵國也。」武侯曰：「善。」 |
| | After King Wenhou died, Wu Qi served under his son, King Wuhou. King Wuhou traveled downstream along the Xihe River, and in midstream, he looked back and said to Wu Qi, "How magnificent is this natural fortress of mountains and rivers! This is Wei's greatest treasure!" Wu Qi replied, "It lies in virtue, not in strategic terrain. "In the past, the Sanmiao clan had Dongting to its left and Pengli to its right; yet because they neglected virtue and righteousness, Yu destroyed them." "The capital of Xia Jie had the Yellow River and Ji River to its left, Mount Taihua to its right, Yique to the south, and Yangchang Pass to the north; yet because he ruled with cruelty, Tang deposed him." "The state of Yin Zhou had Mengmen to its left and Taihang Mountain to its right, Changshan to the north, and the great Yellow River flowing southward; yet because he governed without virtue, King Wu killed him." From this we can see that it lies in virtue, not strategic terrain. "If Your Majesty does not cultivate virtue, then all the people on these boats will become enemies." King Wuhou said, "Well spoken."
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（即封）吳起為西河守，甚有聲名。魏置相，相田文。吳起不悅，謂田文曰：「請與子論功，可乎？」田文曰：「可。」起曰：「將三軍，使士卒樂死，敵國不敢謀，子孰與起？」文曰：「不如子。」起曰：「治百官，親萬民，實府庫，子孰與起？」文曰：「不如子。」起曰：「守西河而秦兵不敢東鄉，韓趙賓從，子孰與起？」文曰：「不如子。」起曰：「此三者，子皆出吾下，而位加吾上，何也？」文曰：「主少國疑，大臣未附，百姓不信，方是之時，屬之於子乎？屬之於我乎？」起默然良久，曰：「屬之子矣。」文曰：「此乃吾所以居子之上也。」吳起乃自知弗如田文。 |
| | (Immediately) appointed Wu Qi as governor of Xihe, he gained great fame. Wei established the position of prime minister and appointed Tian Wen to it. Wu Qi was displeased, and said to Tian Wen, "May I discuss our merits with you?" Tian Wen replied, "Yes." Wu Qi said, "Commanding the three armies, making soldiers willing to die for me, and ensuring enemy states dare not plot against Wei—how do you compare with me?" Tian Wen replied, "I am no match for you." Wu Qi said, "Administering the hundred officials, winning the affection of the people, and filling the treasuries—how do you compare with me?" Tian Wen replied, "I am no match for you." Wu Qi said, "Defending Xihe so that the Qin army dares not face eastward, and Han and Zhao submit to Wei—how do you compare with me?" Tian Wen replied, "I am no match for you." Wu Qi said, "In these three aspects, you are all inferior to me, yet your position is higher than mine. Why is that?" Tian Wen replied, "The ruler is young and the state is in doubt; the ministers have not yet pledged loyalty, and the people do not trust. At such a time, would it be entrusted to you? Or to me?" Wu Qi fell silent for a long time, then said, "It would be entrusted to you." Tian Wen said, "This is why I hold the position above yours." Wu Qi thus realized he was not as capable as Tian Wen.
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田文既死，公叔為相，尚魏公主，而害吳起。公叔之仆曰：「起易去也。」公叔曰：「柰何？」其仆曰：「吳起為人節廉而自喜名也。君因先與武侯言曰：『夫吳起賢人也，而侯之國小，又與彊秦壤界，臣竊恐起之無留心也。』武侯即曰：『柰何？』君因謂武侯曰：『試延以公主，起有留心則必受之。無留心則必辭矣。以此卜之。』君因召吳起而與歸，即令公主怒而輕君。吳起見公主之賤君也，則必辭。」於是吳起見公主之賤魏相，果辭魏武侯。武侯疑之而弗信也。吳起懼得罪，遂去，即之楚。 |
| | After Tian Wen died, Gongsu became prime minister, married a princess of Wei, and resented Wu Qi. Gongsu's servant said, "It is easy to get rid of Wu Qi." Gongsu asked, "How?" His servant said, "Wu Qi is a man of integrity and takes pride in his reputation. You should first tell King Wuhou, 'Wu Qi is a virtuous man, yet Your Majesty's state is small and borders the powerful Qin. I secretly fear that Wu Qi may not wish to remain here.'" King Wuhou would then ask, "What should be done?" You can then tell King Wuhou: 'Try offering him a princess in marriage. If Wu Qi wishes to remain, he will certainly accept it. If he has no intention of staying, he will surely refuse." Use this to determine his intentions.'" You then summon Wu Qi and return with him, but immediately have the princess act angry and disrespectful toward you. Wu Qi will see that the princess looks down on you, and he will certainly refuse the marriage." Thus, when Wu Qi saw how the princess looked down upon the prime minister of Wei, he indeed refused King Wuhou's offer. King Wuhou was suspicious but did not believe it completely. Fearing punishment, Wu Qi left Wei and went to the state of Chu immediately.
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| | 孫子吳起... : |
楚悼王素聞起賢，至則相楚。明法審令，捐不急之官，廢公族疏遠者，以撫養戰鬬之士。要在彊兵，破馳說之言從橫者。於是南平百越；北并陳蔡，卻三晉；西伐秦。諸侯患楚之彊。故楚之貴戚盡欲害吳起。及悼王死，宗室大臣作亂而攻吳起，吳起走之王尸而伏之。擊起之徒因射刺吳起，并中悼王。悼王既葬，太子立，乃使令尹盡誅射吳起而并中王尸者。坐射起而夷宗死者七十餘家。 |
| | King Daowang of Chu had long heard of Wu Qi's virtue; upon his arrival, he was appointed prime minister of Chu. He clarified the laws and carefully issued orders, eliminated unnecessary officials, dismissed distant relatives of the royal family, and used the resources to support soldiers engaged in warfare. His main goal was to strengthen the military, and he refuted the empty talk of those advocating for alliances or divisions between states. Thus, to the south he pacified the Baiyue tribes; to the north he annexed the states of Chen and Cai, repelling the Three Jin states; and to the west he attacked Qin. The feudal lords were troubled by Chu's growing strength. Therefore, the noble relatives of Chu all wished to harm Wu Qi. When King Daowang died, members of the royal family and high-ranking ministers rebelled and attacked Wu Qi. Wu Qi fled to the king's corpse and took refuge beneath it. The attackers who struck at Wu Qi shot arrows at him, which also hit King Daowang's body. After the funeral of King Daowang, his son ascended the throne and ordered the Lingyi to execute all those who had shot at Wu Qi and also struck the king's corpse. Over seventy families were executed for their involvement in shooting Wu Qi, with entire clans wiped out.
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| | 孫子吳起... : |
太史公曰：世俗所稱師旅，皆道孫子十三篇，吳起兵法，世多有，故弗論，論其行事所施設者。語曰：「能行之者未必能言，能言之者未必能行。」孫子籌策龐涓明矣，然不能蚤救患於被刑。吳起說武侯以形勢不如德，然行之於楚，以刻暴少恩亡其軀。悲夫！ |
| | Grand Historian said: The military strategies commonly praised by the world, such as Sunzi's thirteen chapters and Wu Qi's Art of War, are widely available in this age; therefore I will not discuss them, but instead focus on their actions and policies they implemented. It is said: "Those who can act may not necessarily be able to speak, and those who can speak may not necessarily be able to act." Sunzi's strategy clearly outwitted Pang Juan, yet he could not prevent the disaster that led to his own punishment. Wu Qi advised King Wuhou that virtue was more important than strategic terrain, yet when he implemented this in Chu with harsh and ruthless methods lacking compassion, it led to his own death. How tragic!
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