虚实第六

VI. Weak Points and Strong

孙子曰：凡先处战地而待敌者佚，后处战地而趋战者劳。

Sun Tzu said: Whoever is first in the field and awaits the coming of the enemy, will be fresh for the fight; whoever is second in the field and has to hasten to battle will arrive exhausted.

故善战者，致人而不致于人。

Therefore the clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him.

能使敌人自至者，利之也；能使敌人不得至者，害之也。

By holding out advantages to him, he can cause the enemy to approach of his own accord; or, by inflicting damage, he can make it impossible for the enemy to draw near.

故敌佚能劳之，饱能饥之，安能动之。

If the enemy is taking his ease, he can harass him; if well supplied with food, he can starve him out; if quietly encamped, he can force him to move.

出其所必趋，趋其所不意。

Appear at points which the enemy must hasten to defend; march swiftly to places where you are not expected.

行千里而不劳者，行于无人之地也；

An army may march great distances without distress, if it marches through country where the enemy is not.

攻而必取者，攻其所不守也。守而必固者，守其所必攻也。

You can be sure of succeeding in your attacks if you only attack places which are undefended. You can ensure the safety of your defense if you only hold positions that cannot be attacked.

故善攻者，敌不知其所守；善守者，敌不知其所攻。

Hence that general is skillful in attack whose opponent does not know what to defend; and he is skillful in defense whose opponent does not know what to attack.

微乎微乎，至于无形；神乎神乎，至于无声，故能为敌之司命。