Translation by Sifu John A. Fey
1 it is difficult to understand the need for a warrior under heaven but conflict is a fact of life that lies at the heart of conflict's absence
2 peace
3 so you must behave like a warrior when a warrior is needed
4 the ancient child asks
how do you behave like a warrior
5 act as a defender and not as an invader march forward without appearing to march forward be lazy about tying up your war coat utilize a war hand only as needed use your empty hand before drawing a sword be measured and resolute in battle even though you would rather abstain
6 the greatest harm you can do is to treat your opponent lightly
7 give him his due and win the day or you will lose touch with your inner world
8 when two opposing forces meet and do combat
the one that is compassionate and yielding will surely conquer the other
1 HEART and MIND: This describes the need for a spiritual warrior. Each Taoist must, at some point, identify with and become a warrior. This emotional stance builds the resoluteness, discipline, and determination needed to deeply penetrate the Taoist mysteries. The Taoist Warrior does battle with those physical, psychological, intellectual, and spiritual enemies that would stop him from profoundly cultivating the Tao.
2 HEART and MIND: That peace resides at the core of aggression. The seed of yin resides at the center of yang.
3 MIND: A warrior's behavior is based on an unflinching and unwavering respect for both the enemy and the task of meeting him in battle.
4 BODY and MIND: During the direct transmission of the Classic, this question is put to the student with great seriousness. He is expected to answer quickly and with great poetic clarity.
5 BODY and MIND: The guidelines for behaving like a warrior are multifaceted. They are practically applied in both the presence and the absence of an enemy.
a. Gather your assets. Prepare and refine them. Be constantly alert and ready for action. When the enemy presents himself, resolutely move out to join him in battle. Regard his territory with great respect, for you are securing it for those who live there.
b. Make adaptable plans and be prepared to project your forces anywhere even when no enemy presents himself.
c. When an enemy presents himself and it is clear that you must fight, deliberately move to battle in an unhurried and unworried manner.
d. Do not deploy the full strength of your assets too
soon.
e.Use only as much force as is necessary to fully accomplish the task at hand.
f. Pick your targets and define your goals. Make sure that they are realistic. Design your battle plans for complete success and execute them with verve and confidence.
g. Boundless and unfocused aggression is not the way of the warrior. It is to be avoided. However, the precise amount of focused aggression applied at just the right moment invigorates the land and benefits everyone.
6 BODY and MIND: A lack of aggression and resoluteness toward your enemy fundamentally disrespects your relationship to him. The warrior must fight to win. Anything other than complete and total victory further interrupts the connection to the Tao Source. This interruption guarantees the reemergence of the enemy at some later date.
7 BODY and MIND: The goal of your enemy is your destruction. He wishes to sever your connection to the Tao Source. He cares not for the disruption he causes by bringing war to you. If you deal with him lightly-or not all-his chaotic energy will infect your country and eventually destroy it.
8 HEART: A warrior understands the relationship between himself and the enemy. He knows that behaving with a lack of aggression shows a fundamental disrespect for the parties and dynamics of the situation. Though he does not universally advocate or condone violence, when forced to protect himself, the warrior does so with great resolve and determination. But even as he prevails, the true warrior holds a quiet remorse at the center of his
victory. It is this appreciation for the realities of combat-spiritual or otherwise-that assures his victory.