Sun Tzu Decoded
Chapter 5 · Strategic Momentum · 兵勢

Passage 5-10

任勢者, 其戰人也, 如轉木石, 木石之性, 安則靜, 危則動, 方則止, 圓則行.

One who uses momentum deploys troops like rolling logs and stones. On stable ground, they rest; on steep slopes, they move. Square shapes halt; round shapes roll.

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These passages from other chapters connect to the themes in Passage 5-10:

Strategic Momentum Passage 1-11 計利以聽, 乃爲之勢, 以佐其外; 勢者, 因利而制權也. Wind, Forest, Fire, Mountain Passage 7-9 故其疾如風, 其徐如林, 侵掠如火, 不動如山, 難知如陰,... Cascading Momentum Passage 11-34 夫衆陷於害, 然後能爲勝敗, 故爲兵之事, 在於順詳敵之意,... Adapting to Circumstance Passage 11-19 令發之日, 士卒坐者涕沾襟, 偃臥者涕交頤, 投之無所往, ...

More from Chapter 5: Strategic Momentum (兵勢)

Passage 5-1: Sun Tzu said: - Managing many is like managing few—a matter of organization - Fi... Passage 5-2: In all warfare: Engage with the orthodox; achieve victory with the extraordinary... Passage 5-3: Those skilled in the extraordinary are infinite as heaven and earth, inexhaustib... Passage 5-4: The rush of torrential waters that sweeps away boulders—this is momentum (shì). ... Passage 5-5: Therefore, the skilled warrior’s momentum is overwhelming, his timing precise. M... Passage 5-6: Amidst tumult and chaos, fight without disorder. Amidst confusion and formlessne... Passage 5-7: Disorder arises from order; cowardice arises from courage; weakness arises from ... Passage 5-8: The skilled manipulator presents appearances that the enemy must follow, offers ... Passage 5-9: The skilled warrior seeks victory through momentum, not through individual soldi... Passage 5-11: The momentum of skilled warriors is like a round boulder rolling down a thousand...