Signals from Soldiers & Camp-Sun Tzu

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Signals from Soldiers & Camp - Sun Tzu

English: When the soldiers of the enemy are leaning against their weapons, they are hungry and short of food. When the enemy soldiers that are assigned to get water start to drink first, they are extremely thirsty and lack of water supplies. When the enemy sees an obvious advantage but is does not want to seize it, he is severely tired and exhausted. When the birds gather around the enemy campsite, the site is empty. When the enemy soldiers scream and yell at night, they are in great fear. When the army of the enemy is disorderly and chaotic, the authority of the general is not respected. When the banners and flags of the enemy are shifted around frequently, the troops are in disarray. When the junior officers of the enemy are short-tempered and easily angered, they are tired and detest their responsibilities. When the enemy kills horses for food, there are no provisions in his camp. When the cooking utensils are hung away and the soldiers refuse to return to camp, the enemy is in a desperate situation.

Modern: 敌军倚着兵器而站立着，是因为饥饿缺粮；打水的敌兵急于饮水，是因为干渴缺水；敌军见利不取，是因为疲劳过度。地方营寨上有鸟停集，那表示营寨是空的；敌营夜间有人惊呼，说明敌军心里恐惧；敌军纷扰无次序，是其将帅无威严；敌军旗帜摇动而不整齐，是因为其阵形已经混乱；敌军官吏急躁易怒，是因为过度疲劳困倦；敌人用粮食喂马，杀牲口吃，收起炊具，不返回营寨，是准备拼命突围的“穷寇”；

Original: 杖而立者，饥也；汲而先饮者，渴也。见利而不进者，劳也；鸟集者，虚也；夜呼者，恐也；军扰者，将不重也。旌旗动者，乱也；吏怒者，倦也；粟马肉食，军无悬甑，不返其舍者，穷寇也；

Business Application:

From: Sun Tzu Art of War Chapter 9