CHINESE ORIGINAL
用兵有言：「吾不敢为主而为客，不敢进寸而退尺。
」是谓行无行，攘无臂，扔无敌，执无兵。
祸莫大于轻敌，轻敌几丧吾宝。
故抗兵相加，哀者胜矣。
ENGLISH · JAMES LEGGE, 1891
A master of the art of war has said, 'I do not dare to be the host (to commence the war); I prefer to be the guest (to act on the defensive). I do not dare to advance an inch; I prefer to retire a foot.' This is called marshalling the ranks where there are no ranks; baring the arms (to fight) where there are no arms to bare; grasping the weapon where there is no weapon to grasp; advancing against the enemy where there is no enemy.
There is no calamity greater than lightly engaging in war. To do that is near losing (the gentleness) which is so precious. Thus it is that when opposing weapons are (actually) crossed, he who deplores (the situation) conquers.
READ IN CONTEXT
Conflict
The text repeatedly asks what force costs. These chapters consider weapons, rivalry, and the possibility of meeting conflict without aggression.
Conflict