玄用
原文
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。
王弼注
用兵有言：“吾不敢为主而为客，不敢进寸而退尺。”是谓行无行，彼遂不止。攘无臂，扔无敌，行，谓行陈也，言以谦退哀慈，不敢为物先，用战犹行无行，攘无臂，执无兵，扔无敌也，言无有与之抗也。执无兵。祸莫大于轻敌，轻敌几丧吾宝。言吾哀慈谦退，非欲以取强，无敌于天下也。不得已而卒至于无敌，斯乃吾之所以为大祸也。宝，三宝也，故曰，几亡吾宝。故抗兵相加，哀者胜矣。抗，举也；加，当也。哀者，必相惜而不趣利避害，故必胜。
英文 · James Legge
(The use of the mysterious (Dao)) 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.