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9. If equally matched, we can offer battle;

[Li Ch'uan, followed by Ho Shih, gives the following paraphrase:

"If attackers and attacked are equally matched in strength, only

the able general will fight."]

if slightly inferior in numbers, we can avoid the enemy;

[The meaning, "we can watch the enemy," is certainly a great

improvement on the above; but unfortunately there appears to be

no very good authority for the variant. Chang Yu reminds us that

the saying only applies if the other factors are equal; a small

difference in numbers is often more than counterbalanced by

superior energy and discipline.]

if quite unequal in every way, we can flee from him.

10. Hence, though an obstinate fight may be made by a small

force, in the end it must be captured by the larger force.

11. Now the general is the bulwark of the State: if the bulwark

is complete at all points; the State will be strong; if the

bulwark is defective, the State will be weak.