Pagina 54 de 266

14. Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and

prompt in his decision.

[The word "decision" would have reference to the measurement of

distance mentioned above, letting the enemy get near before

striking. But I cannot help thinking that Sun Tzŭ meant to use

the word in a figurative sense comparable to our own idiom "short

and sharp." Cf. Wang Hsi's note, which after describing the

falcon's mode of attack, proceeds: "This is just how the

'psychological moment' should be seized in war."]

15. Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision,

to the releasing of the trigger.

[None of the commentators seem to grasp the real point of the

simile of energy and the force stored up in the bent cross-bow

until released by the finger on the trigger.]

16. Amid the turmoil and tumult of battle, there may be seeming

disorder and yet no real disorder at all; amid confusion and

chaos, your array may be without head or tail, yet it will be

proof against defeat.