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22. Though the enemy be stronger in numbers, we may prevent him

from fighting. Scheme so as to discover his plans and the

likelihood of their success.

[An alternative reading offered by Chia Lin is: "Know beforehand

all plans conducive to our success and to the enemy's failure."

23. Rouse him, and learn the principle of his activity or

inactivity.

[Chang Yu tells us that by noting the joy or anger shown by the

enemy on being thus disturbed, we shall be able to conclude

whether his policy is to lie low or the reverse. He instances the

action of Cho-ku Liang, who sent the scornful present of a

woman's head-dress to Ssu-ma I, in order to goad him out of his

Fabian tactics.]

Force him to reveal himself, so as to find out his vulnerable

spots.

24. Carefully compare the opposing army with your own, so that

you may know where strength is superabundant and where it is

deficient.

[Cf. IV. § 6.]

25. In making tactical dispositions, the highest pitch you can

attain is to conceal them;