Искусство войны. Уровень 2 / The Art of War

He sacrifices something, that the enemy may snatch at it.

20.В By using baits, he keeps him on the march; then with a body of picked men he lies in wait for him.

21.В The clever fighter never requires too much from a single man but knows how combined energy is effective. Hence his ability to pick out the right men and use combined energy.

22.В When he uses combined energy, his fighting men become as it were like rolling stones. For it is the nature of a stone to stay motionless on level ground, and to move when on a slope.

23.В Thus the energy of good fighting men is as the energy of a round stone rolled down a mountain thousands of feet in height. So much on the subject of energy.

VI.В Weak points and strong

1.В Sun TzЕ­ 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 hurry to battle, will arrive exhausted.

2. Therefore the clever fighter imposes[5 - imposes – навязывает] his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy’s will to be imposed on him.

3. By holding out advantages to him, he can cause the enemy to approach of his ownaccord[6 - of his own accord – по своей воле]; or, by inflicting damage, he can make it impossible for the enemy to come near.

4.В 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.

5.В Appear at points which the enemy must hurry to defend; go quickly to places where you are not expected.

6.В An army may go great distances without stress, if it marches through country where the enemy is not.

7.В 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.

8.В 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.

9. O divine art of subtlety and secrecy! Through you we learn to be invisible, through you inaudible; and hence we can hold the enemy’s fate in our hands.

10. You may move forward and be absolutely irresistible, if you make for the enemy’s weak points.