Appendix
Metaphors, Similes, and Other Analogies in The Art of War
While English translations of The Art of War vary, the comparisons set down in the original do not. Here is a list of them. For their context, refer to the page from which they are taken.
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Page |
Chapter |
Metaphors, Similes, and Other Analogies |
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7 |
4.05 |
Those skilled in defense conceal themselves* in the lowest depths of the Earth. Those skilled in attack move in the highest reaches of the Heavens. |
|
7 |
4.08 |
Lifting an autumn down* is not considered great strength, seeing the sun and the moon is not considered a sign of sharp vision, hearing thunder is not considered a sign of sensitive hearing. |
|
8 |
4.16 |
A victorious army is like a ton against an ounce; a defeated army is like an ounce against a ton! The victorious army is like pent-up waters released, bursting through a deep gorge.* |
|
9 |
5.01 |
Commanding many is like commanding a few.*... Doing battle with a large army is like doing battle with a small army. |
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9 |
5.03 |
The army will be like throwing a stone against an egg;* |
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9 |
5.04 |
Those skilled at uncommon maneuvers are as endless as the heavens and earth, and as inexhaustible as the rivers and seas.* |
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9 |
5.05 |
Like the sun and the moon, they set and rise again.* Like the four seasons, they end and begin again. |
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9 |
5.05-06 |
There are no more than five* musical notes, yet the variations in the five notes cannot all be heard.... In battle, there are no more than two types of attacks. |
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9 |
5.07 |
The common and the uncommon produce each other,* like an endless circle. |
|
9 |
5.08 |
The rush of torrential waters tossing boulders illustrates force. The strike of a bird of prey breaking the body of its target illustrates timing. |
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10 |
5.10 |
Their force is like a drawn crossbow and their timing is like the release of the trigger. |
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10 |
5.17 |
One who exploits force commands men into battle like rolling logs and boulders.* |
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10 |
5.18 |
Those skilled in warfare use force by making the troops in battle like boulders rolling down a steep mountain.* |
* indicates that there is an explanatory footnote for the hyperlinked item on its page.
