Passage 5-5
是故善戰者, 其勢險, 其節短. 勢如擴弩, 節如發機.
Therefore, the skilled warrior’s momentum is overwhelming, his timing precise. Momentum is like a drawn crossbow; timing is like the trigger release.
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These passages from other chapters connect to the themes in Passage 5-5:
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...
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,...
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...
Weighing Before Moving
Passage 7-11
軍政曰:「言不相聞, 故爲鼓金. 視不相見, 故爲旌旗.」
Swiftness of Decision
Passage 11-35
是故政舉之日, 夷關折符, 無通其使, 厲於廊廟之上, 以誅...