Sun Tzu Decoded
Chapter 5 · Strategic Momentum · 兵勢

Passage 5-4

激水之疾, 至於漂石者, 勢也. 鷙鳥之疾, 至於毁折者, 節也.

The rush of torrential waters that sweeps away boulders—this is momentum (shì). The strike of a falcon that breaks the neck of its prey—this is timing (jié).

The crossbow metaphor for momentum (勢): strategic energy stored and released at the decisive moment. Timing transforms potential into kinetic advantage.

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These passages from other chapters connect to the themes in Passage 5-4:

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,... 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. Sealing Enemy's Plans Passage 11-36 先其所愛, 微與之期, 賤墨隨敵, 以決戰事. 是故始如處女... 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 Fire Tactics Passage 12-3 凡火攻, 必因五火之變而應之. 火發于內, 則早應之于外. ... Dividing the Spoils Passage 7-10 掠鄕分衆, 廓地分利, 懸權而動, 先知迂直之計者勝, 此軍...

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 5-5: 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 5-10: One who uses momentum deploys troops like rolling logs and stones. On stable gro... Passage 5-11: The momentum of skilled warriors is like a round boulder rolling down a thousand...