A contending army

Critical Text

Yinqueshan Text

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Shiyijia zhu Text

Translation

A contending army brings advantage. A contending army brings danger. Contending for advantage with an entire army, one will not get there. Contending for advantage with a reduced army, one's baggage train is diminished. Therefore, rolling up one's armor, hastening after advantage day and night without camping, continually marching at the double for one hundred li and then contending for advantage: The commander of the three armies is captured. The strong ones sooner, the worn-out ones later, and one in ten arrives. Going fifty li and contending for advantage: The ranking general falls. By this method, half arrive. Going thirty li and contending for advantage: Two-thirds arrive. Therefore, an army without a baggage train is lost, without grain and food is lost, without supplies is lost.

Annotations

The textual issues in this section are trivial.

This passage argues graphically against hurry. It is important to contrast it with other passages that emhasizes the crucial role of speed. Like chapter 2, this passage is very clear about the material basis of warfare.