Chapter 69

用兵有言曰：吾不敢為主而為客，吾不敢進寸而退尺，是謂行無行，攘無臂，執無兵，扔無敵。禍莫大於輕敵，輕敵幾喪吾寶。故抗兵相加，哀者勝矣！

yong bing you yan yue, wu bu gan wei zhu er wei ke
用兵有言曰，吾不敢為主而為客

The military commander often says, “I do not dare to initiate war and always keep myself reactive instead.”

wu bu gan jin cun er
tui chi
吾不敢進寸而退尺

“I do not dare to march forward an inch and would withdraw by a foot instead.”

shi wei xing wu xing
是謂行無行

With this strategy, I will show no sign of action for my rival to counterattack.

rang wu bi
攘無臂

I will show no sign of armed force to disclose my strength.

zhi wu bing
執無兵

I will show no sign of arms deployment to express my sincerity for peace.

reng wu di
扔無敵

I will help myself to expel the idea of invincibility.

huo mo da yu qing di
禍莫大於輕敵

The greatest disaster is being contemptuous of your rivals.

qing di ji sang wu bao
輕敵幾喪吾寶

I had almost discarded all my principles because of contempt.

gu kang bing xiang
jia, ai zhe sheng yi
故抗兵相加，哀者勝矣

During a confrontation in rivalry, the less aggressive will prevail.