Verse 1-Wei Liao Zi Art of War Chapter 5

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Verse 1-Wei Liao Zi Art of War Chapter 5

English

Military is victorious through being quiet and calm; a state is victorious through being united. One whose strength is divided will be weak; one whose minds have doubts will be have their fighting spirit lowered. Now when one’s strength is weak, advancing and retreating will not be bold, and when pursuing an enemy will not result in anyone being captured. Generals, commanders, officers, and troops should be a single body both in action and at rest. But if the commander’s mind is already doubtful or the troops inclined to disobey, then even though a plan has been decided on they will not move, or if movement has been initiated, they cannot be controlled. When different mouths speak of empty words, the general lacks the proper demeanor, and the troops have not been properly trained, if they set out to attack they will inevitably be defeated. This is what is referred to as army that is too sick to attack. It is inadequate for engaging in warfare. Now the general is the mind of the army, while all those below are the limbs and joints. When the mind is determined and focus, then the limbs and joints are invariably strong. When the mind moves in doubt, then the limbs and joints are invariably slow and weak. Now if the general cannot have the cooperation of his troops like the mind moving the limbs as when and where it wants it to be, then even though the army might be victorious, it will be a lucky victory, not the result of the tactical balance of power in attack.

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Modern

军队以沉着冷静致胜，国家以统一团结致胜。部署分散力量就会削弱，决心动摇，士气就会涣散。力量薄弱，就不敢大胆进退，即使有好的战机也可能放走敌人。将吏士卒，一动一静，都象人的身体一样，如果决心摇思想混扎，就是计划决定了，也不能立即行动，行动起来了，又不能加以控制。军队中众说纷纭，空话连篇，将帅没有严肃的态度，士兵没有正规的训练，这样发动进攻，必然要招致失败，这就是颓废无用的军队，这种军队是不能同敌人战斗的。将帅好比人的首脑，部属好比人的四肢，首脑的决心坚定，四肢的动作必然有力，首脑的决心犹豫，四肢的动作必然迟疑。如果将帅指挥军队，不能象首脑控制四肢那样灵活自如，士兵不能象四肢那样按首脑的指挥行动，这样的军队，即使取得胜利，也是侥幸的胜利，而不是正确指挥的结果。

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Original

兵以静胜，国以专胜。力分者弱，心疑者背。夫力弱，故进退不豪，纵敌不禽。将吏士卒，动静一身，心既疑背，则计决而不动，动决而不禁。异口虚言，将无修容，卒无常试，发攻必衂，是谓疾陵之兵，无足与斗。将帅者心也，群下者支节也。其心动以诚，则支节必力，其心动以疑，则支节必背。夫将不心制，卒不节动，虽胜幸胜也，非攻权也。

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