Chapter 1 – Sentence 15

Giles:

Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable;
when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.

 

Goldwater:

Therefore, when able to attack, appear unable;
when deploying troops, appear inactive;
when near, appear far;
when far, appear near.

 

Traditional Chinese

故能而示之不能，用而示之不用，
近而示之遠，遠而示之近。

 

Simplified Chinese


故能而示之不能，用而示之不用，
近而示之远，远而示之近。

 

Pin Yin

gù néng ér shì zhī bù néng,
yòng ér shì zhī bú yòng,
jìn ér shì zhī yuǎn,
yuǎn ér shì zhī jìn.

 

故能而示之不能，用而示之不用，近而示之遠，遠而示之近。
Therefore, able appear not able, use appear not use,
near appear far, far appear near.

 

故
Therefore,

 

能 而 示 之 不 能，
able appear not able,

 

用 而 示 之 不 用，
use appear not use,

 

近 而 示 之 遠，
near appear far,

 

遠 而 示 之 近。
far appear near.

 

Therefore, (when) able (to attack) appear not able, (when) using (troops) appear not using, (when) near appear far, (when) far appear near.

Therefore, when able to attack, appear unable; when deploying troops, appear inactive; when near, appear far; when far, appear near.

Therefore, when able to attack, appear unable; when deploying troops, appear inactive; when near, appear far; when far, appear near.