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戰國 Warring States Sunday, March 16, 2026 |
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不戰而屈人之兵 Subduing the Enemy Without Fighting |
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孫子曰：凡用兵之法，全國為上，破國次之；全軍為上，破軍次之；全旅為上，破旅次之；全卒為上，破卒次之；全伍為上，破伍次之。是故百戰百勝，非善之善者也；不戰而屈人之兵，善之善者也。 |
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Master Sun said: In the conduct of war, it is best to take the enemy’s state whole and intact; to shatter and destroy it is inferior. It is best to capture the enemy’s army whole; to destroy it is inferior. It is best to capture a brigade whole; to destroy it is inferior. It is best to capture a company whole; to destroy it is inferior. It is best to capture a squad whole; to destroy it is inferior. Therefore, to win a hundred battles in a hundred engagements is not the highest excellence. The highest excellence is to subdue the enemy’s army without fighting at all. |
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From 孫子兵法 · The Art of War |