五名五恭

Armies have five designations: first, the awe-inspiring and strong; second, the arrogant and proud; third, the hard and direct; fourth, the suspicious and jealous; fifth, the heavy and soft. Against an awe-inspiring and strong army, yield softly and bide your time. Against an arrogant and proud army, treat them with respect and outlast them. Against a hard and direct army, lure and take them. Against a suspicious and jealous army, press their front, create commotion on their flanks, dig deep moats and raise high ramparts to cut off their supplies. Against a heavy and soft army, raise a clamor to frighten them, shake and push them; if they come out, strike them; if they do not come out, encircle them.

Armies have five restraints and five aggressions. What are the five restraints? Entering enemy territory with restraint — the army loses its momentum. Launching a second action with restraint — the army has no supplies to draw upon. Launching a third action with restraint — the army loses its purpose. Launching a fourth action with restraint — the army has no food. Launching a fifth action with restraint — the army cannot accomplish its mission. Entering enemy territory with aggression — this is called being the guest. Launching a second action with aggression — this is called display. Launching a third action with aggression — the host becomes fearful. Launching a fourth action with aggression — the soldiers see through the deception. Launching a fifth action with aggression — the army will surely suffer great attrition. Therefore the five restraints and five aggressions must be interspersed with each other.