譯文:用兵的人曾經(jīng)這樣說,“我不敢主動進犯,而采取守勢;不敢前進一步,而寧可后退一尺?!边@就叫做雖然有陣勢,卻像沒有陣勢可擺一樣;雖然要奮臂,卻像沒有臂膀可舉一樣;雖然面臨敵人,卻像沒有敵人可打一樣;雖然有兵器,卻像沒有兵器可以執(zhí)握一樣。禍患再沒有比輕敵更大的了,輕敵幾乎喪失了我的“三寶”。所以,兩軍實力相當?shù)臅r候,悲痛的一方可以獲得勝利。
本章從軍事學的角度,談以退為進的處世哲學。老子認為,戰(zhàn)爭應以守為主,以守而取勝,表現(xiàn)了老子反對戰(zhàn)爭的思想,同時也表明老子處世哲學中的退守、居下原則。這一章講到"哀兵必勝,驕兵必敗"的道理,成為千古兵家的軍事名言。本章和前兩章是相應的,都是在闡明哀、慈、柔的道理,以明不爭之德。
《道德經(jīng)》(第六十九章)
用兵有言:
吾不敢為主而為客;
不敢進寸而退尺。
是謂行無行,
攘無臂,
扔無敵,
執(zhí)無兵。
禍莫大于輕敵,
輕敵幾喪吾寶。
故抗兵相加,
哀者勝矣。
Chapter 69
The strategists have a saying:
"I dare not be host, but would rather be guest;
I advance not an inch, but instead retreat a foot."
This is called
Marching without ranks,
Bearing nonexistent arms,
Flourishing nonexistent weapons,
Driving back nonexistent enemies.
There is no greater misfortune than not having a worthy foe;
Once I believe there are no worthy foes, I have well-nigh forfeited my treasures.
Therefore,
When opposing forces are evenly matched,
The one who is saddened will be victorious.