Wu Qi Art of War Chapter 2
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Wu Qi Art of War Chapter 2
Nation Alertness
Original: 武侯谓吴起曰：“今秦胁吾西，楚带吾南，赵冲吾北，齐临吾东，燕绝吾后，韩居吾前，六国兵四守，势甚不便，忧此奈何？”
起对曰：“夫安国家之道，先戒为宝。今君已戒，祸其远矣。臣请论六国之俗：夫齐陈重而不坚，秦陈散而自斗，楚陈整而不久，燕陈守而不走，三晋陈治而不用。”
English: Lord Wu addressed Wu Qi:"At present, Qin coerces us on the west, Chu encircles us in the...
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Six States Characteristics & Counter Strategies
Original: “夫齐性刚，其国富，君臣骄奢而简于细民，其政宽而禄不均，一陈两心，前重后轻，故重而不坚。击此之道，必三分之，猎其左右，胁而从之，其陈可坏。秦性 强，其地险，其政严，其赏罚信，其人不让，皆有斗心，故散而自战。击此之道，必先示之以利而引去之，士贪于得而离其将，乘乖猎散，设伏投机，其将可取。楚 性弱，其地广，其政骚，其民疲，故整而不久。击此之道，袭乱其屯，先夺其气，轻进速退，弊而劳之，勿与战争，其军可败。燕性悫，其民慎，好勇义，寡诈谋， 故守而不走。击此之道，触而迫之，陵而远之，驰而后之，则上疑而下惧，谨我车骑必避之路，其将可虏。三晋者，中国也，其性和，其政平，其民疲于战，习于 兵，轻其将，薄其禄，士无死志，故治而不用。击此之道，阻陈而压之，众来则拒之，去则追之，以倦其师。此其势也。”
English: "The Qi people are strong and the country is prosperous but the ruler and officials are...
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Providing Opportunities for Talents
Original: “然则一军之中，必有虎贲之士，力轻扛鼎，足轻戎马，搴旗斩将，必有能者。若此之等，选而别之，爱而贵之，是谓军命。其有工用五兵、材力健疾、志在吞敌者，必加其爵列，可以决胜。厚其父母妻子，劝赏畏罚，此坚陈之士，可与持久，能审料此，可以击倍。”武侯曰：“善！”
English: "Within the army, there will be soldiers whose courage is that of the tiger, has strength that can lift...
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Enemy You Can Attack
Original: 吴子曰：“凡料敌有不卜而与之战者八。一曰：”疾风大寒，早兴寐迁，刊木济水，不惮艰难。二曰：盛夏炎热，晏兴无间，行驱饥渴，务于取远。三曰：师既淹 久，粮食无有，百姓怨怒，妖祥数起，上不能止。四曰：军资既竭，薪刍既寡，天多阴雨，欲掠无所。五曰：徒众不多，水地不利，人马疾疫，四邻不至。六曰：道 远日暮，士众劳惧，倦而未食，解甲而息。七曰：将薄吏轻，士卒不固，三军数惊，师徒无助。八曰：陈而未定，舍而未毕，行坂涉险，半隐半出。诸如此者，击之 无疑。”
English: Wu Qi said:"In general when evaluating the enemy, there are eight conditions under which one...
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Enemy You Cannot Attack
Original: “有不占而避之者六。一曰：土地广大，人民富众。二曰：上爱其下。惠施流布。三曰：赏信刑察，发必得时。四曰：陈功居列，任贤使能。五曰：师徒之众，兵甲之精。六曰：四邻之助，大国之援。凡此不如敌人，避之勿疑。所谓见可而进，知难而退也。”
English: "There are six circumstances in which, without performing too much...
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Detecting Enemy's Situation
Original: 武侯问曰：“吾欲观敌之外以知其内，察其进以知其止，以定胜负，可得闻乎？”
起对曰：“敌人之来，荡荡无虑，旌旗烦乱，人马数顾，一可击十，必使无措。诸侯未会，君臣未和，沟垒未成，禁令未施，三军匈匈，欲前不能，欲去不敢，以半击倍，百战不殆。”
English: Lord Wu inquired:"From the external appearance, I would be able to know...
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Weaknesses You Can Attack
Original: 武侯问敌必可击之道。
起对曰：“用兵必须审敌虚实而趋其危。敌人远来新至，行列未定，可击；既食未设备，可击；奔走，可击；勤劳，可击；未得地利，可击；失时不从，可击；旌旗 乱动，可击；涉长道后行未息，可击；涉水半渡，可击；险道狭路，可击；陈数移动，可击；将离士卒，可击；心怖，可击。凡若此者，选锐冲之，分兵继之，急击 勿疑。”
English: "Are there circumstances where the enemy can...
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