Chapter 9: CLCTM
14. If I do not wish to
do battle, I mark a line on the earth to defend it, and the enemy cannot do
battle with me. I misdirect him.
15. Respond to
aggression by creating space, so as to control the actions of the aggressor.
Resist and you swell the attacker. Create room for the aggressor and he will
dissipate.
16. When I am few and
the enemy is many, I can use the few to strike the many because those whom I
battle are restricted.
17. Use order to await
chaos. Use stillness to await clamor. At the right moment, not acting is the
most skillful action. This is ordering the heart-mind.
18. It is not necessary
to exercise your strength. Instead, rest in your sufficiency.
19. Every sage commander
acts from his own ground of strength, which is formed solely by the
completeness of his being. He accepts his nature and remains himself, which
brings the power to discern clearly. The clarity and the will of the commander
forms the ground of his entire army; and clarity comes from an honest and a
humble heart.
