Chapter 1 – Sentence 16

Giles:

Hold out baits to entice the enemy.
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 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.

 

Traditional Chinese

利而誘之，亂而取之，
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

利而诱之，乱而取之，
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

lì ér yòu zhī, luàn ér qǔ zhī,
shí ér bèi zhī, qiáng ér bì zhī,
nù ér náo zhī, bēi ér jiāo zhī,
yì ér láo zhī, qīn ér lí zhī.

 

利而誘之，亂而取之，實而備之，強而避之，
怒而撓之，卑而驕之，佚而勞之，親而離之。
Advantage entice, disorder take, solid prepare, strong evade,
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 …