Giles:
Feign disorder, and crush him.
If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him.
If he is in superior strength, evade him.
If your opponent is of choleric temper, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant.
If he is taking his ease, give him no rest.
If his forces are united, separate them.
Goldwater:
If he is in disorder, attack him.
If he is solid, prepare for him.
If he is strong, evade him.
If he is angry, goad him.
If he is humble, encourage arrogance.
If he is resting, force exertion.
If he is united, divide him.
Traditional Chinese
實而備之,強而避之,
怒而撓之,卑而驕之,
佚而勞之,親而離之。
Simplified Chinese
实而备之,强而避之,
怒而挠之,卑而骄之,
佚而劳之,亲而离之。
Pin Yin
shí ér bèi zhī, qiáng ér bì zhī,
nù ér náo zhī, bēi ér jiāo zhī,
yì ér láo zhī, qīn ér lí zhī.
怒而撓之,卑而驕之,佚而勞之,親而離之。
angry incite, humble arrogance, rest effort, close separate.
利 | 而 | 誘 | 之, |
Advantage | entice | , |
亂 | 而 | 取 | 之, |
disorder | take | , |
實 | 而 | 備 | 之, |
solid | prepare | , |
強 | 而 | 避 | 之, |
strong | evade | , |
怒 | 而 | 撓 | 之, |
angry | incite | , |
卑 | 而 | 驕 | 之, |
humble | arrogance | , |
佚 | 而 | 劳 | 之, |
rest | effort | , |
親 | 而 | 離 | 之, |
close | separate | , |
(If your opponent has an) advantage, entice (him into behavior that loses it). (If he is in) disorder, take (him). (If he is) solid, prepare (for him). (If he is) strong, evade (him). (If he is) angry, incite (him). (If he is) humble, (encourage) arrogance. (If he is at) rest, (make him exert) effort. (If he is) close, separate (him).
(If your opponent has an) advantage, bait (him into giving it up). (If he is in) disorder, attack (him). (If he is) solid, prepare (for him). (If he is) strong, evade (him). (If he is) angry, goad (him). (If he is) humble, (encourage) arrogance. (If he is) resting, (make him exert) effort. (If he is) united, divide (him).
If your opponent has an advantage, bait him. If he is in disorder, attack him. If he is solid, prepare for him. If he is strong, evade him. If he is angry, goad him. If he is humble, encourage arrogance. If he is resting, force exertion. If he is united, divide him.
Comments:
1. Notice that each of these 8 is in the same form:
…而…之 If he … you …