積疏

Concentrated and Dispersed

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六對相勝

Six Pairs of Opposites That Overcome Each Other

積勝疏，盈勝虛，徑勝行，疾勝徐，眾勝寡，佚勝勞。積故積之，疏故疏之，盈故盈之，虛故虛之，徑故徑之，行故行之，疾故疾之，徐故徐之，眾敵眾之，寡故寡之，佚故佚之，勞故勞之。

The concentrated overcomes the dispersed. The full overcomes the empty. The direct overcomes the circuitous. The swift overcomes the slow. The many overcome the few. The rested overcomes the exhausted. If concentrated, concentrate further. If dispersed, disperse accordingly. If full, fill further. If empty, empty accordingly. If direct, be more direct. If circuitous, be circuitous accordingly. If swift, be swifter. If slow, be slow accordingly. If the enemy is many, match their numbers. If few, be few accordingly. If rested, rest further. If exhausted, exhaust accordingly.

相為變

Mutual Transformation

積疏相為變，盈虛相為變，逕行相為變，疾徐相為變，眾寡相為變，佚勞相為變。毋以積當積，毋以疏當疏，毋以盈當盈，毋以虛當虛，毋以疾當疾，毋以徐當徐，毋以眾當眾，毋以寡當寡，毋以佚當佚，毋以勞當勞。

Concentrated and dispersed transform into each other. Full and empty transform into each other. Direct and circuitous transform into each other. Swift and slow transform into each other. Many and few transform into each other. Rested and exhausted transform into each other. Do not oppose concentration with concentration. Do not oppose dispersal with dispersal. Do not oppose fullness with fullness. Do not oppose emptiness with emptiness. Do not oppose speed with speed. Do not oppose slowness with slowness. Do not oppose numbers with numbers. Do not oppose scarcity with scarcity. Do not oppose rest with rest. Do not oppose exhaustion with exhaustion.

以異制敵

Overcoming the Enemy Through Asymmetry

積疏相當，盈虛相當，逕行相當，疾徐相當，眾寡相當，佚勞相當。敵積故可疏，盈故可虛，徑故可行，疾故可徐，眾故可寡，件故可勞。

Concentrated and dispersed counter each other. Full and empty counter each other. Direct and circuitous counter each other. Swift and slow counter each other. Many and few counter each other. Rested and exhausted counter each other. When the enemy is concentrated, you can be dispersed. When he is full, you can be empty. When he is direct, you can be circuitous. When he is swift, you can be slow. When he is many, you can be few. When he is rested, you can exhaust him.

Notes

1context

This chapter is one of the most philosophically dense in the text, articulating a theory of strategic asymmetry rooted in the dialectical thinking of the Yijing and Laozi. The key principle: never mirror the enemy's strength. Instead, use its opposite. If the enemy concentrates, disperse to avoid his blow and strike where he is thin. If the enemy is swift, slow down to let him overextend. Each pair of opposites 'transforms into' the other — concentration inevitably creates vulnerability through dispersal elsewhere. The logic is deeply yin-yang in nature.

Edition & Source

Text: 《孫臏兵法》 Sun Bin Bingfa
Edition: 中華古詩文古書籍網 transcription (Yinqueshan bamboo strips reconstruction)
Commentary: Modern reconstruction from 1972 Yinqueshan tomb excavation