Verse 3-Wei Liao Zi Art of War Chapter 12

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Verse 3-Wei Liao Zi Art of War Chapter 12

English

One who understands the Way of warfare will invariably first plan against the defeats which arise from not knowing when to stop. Why must one always think that advancing would be successful? If you advance too recklessly and seek to engage the enemy in battle, should they – on the contrary – have plans in place to stop you going forth, the enemy will control the victory. Thus the Art of War says: If they seek us, engage them; when you see them, attack. When the aggressors dare not oppose us, press the attack, and they will inevitably lose their opportunity to control the situation.

Modern

所以懂得战争规律的人，必先考虑一味冒进的危险，怎能指望一往无前就能胜利呢？如果轻举冒进，寻求决战，敌人又有计划地加以阻止，这样我军的进攻一定会遭到失败。所以兵法上说，如果敌人求战，我就应战，或者见到敌人就去进攻，或者我军的力量本来不能阻挡敌人的进攻，而又轻率地交战，都必然会丧失战争的主动权。

Original

故知道考，必先图不知止之败，恶在乎必往有功？轻进而求战，敌复图止，我往而敌制胜矣。故兵法曰，求而从之，见而加之，主人不敢当而陵之，必丧其权。

Applications

From: Wei Liao Zi Art of War Chapter 12