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A Standard Benchmark
Gagliardi's Translation
Sawyer's Translation
"Clavell's" Translation
Griffith's Translation
Ames' Translation
Cleary's Translation
Kaufman's Translation
The
Denma Translation
Kaufman's Translation
Kaufman's Translation: This version is
subtitled "The Definitive Interpretation of Sun Tzu's Classic," which,
given the multilayered nature of the original Chinese, hits us as a strange statement to
make. Kaufman is a martial arts expert who thinks that most other translations are
too business-oriented. This is also a strange position, considering that none of the
standard translations except for Gagliardi's were written by a businessperson.
Despite the claims of authenticity,
this version seems to have the least respect for the original Chinese. It
ignores whole phrases in the original, the specific meaning of the ideograms
used, and the ordering and weight of the phrases. It is unlikely that the author
was translating the same Chinese characters as other translators, despite our
attempting to use a stanza that is complete in all major Chinese sources.
Instead, he was likely working, probably without knowing it, from one of the
less popular and less complete variants.
If you see brevity as a virtue in translation, you will not like
this one. Though many phrases in the original are ignored completely, most are expanded
and often extended with the author's own ideas. Of course, it is possible that his
extensions relate in some way to the phrases we see as not translated, but it is difficult
for us to make the connection.
The author also seems to prefer the choice of awkward
words. Instead of simply saying, "never attack an enemy whose back is to a
wall," he chooses the more cumbersome "whose back is to a barrier to
retreat." His choices of words and ideas are certainly the furthest away from
the convergence of the other translations. This gives this version a pidgin Chinese
flavor.
If the Ames translation seems the most authoritative of
the
non-Gagliardi versions, this seems to us to least resemble the original.
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Our
Character Translation |
Kaufman's
Translation |
 Without
 invitation
 right correct ’s
 banner, |
Never attack if you see the enemy in prime condition and his appearance is strong and steady. |
 Do not  attack
 hall hall
of  formation, |
His organization may be stronger than yours |
 Here  govern
 transform  one
 also; |
and you will need to replan
your strategy. |
 Make  use
 war’s
 method, |
Not translated. |
 High  mound
do not  face, |
Do not
attack the enemy if he hold the high ground. It is important to consider your resources
when this type of battle is indicated. |
 Back  walls
do not  oppose, |
Never attack an enemy when his back is
against a barrier to retreat. He will fight with desperation and inflict serious
damage if he sees no way out. |
 Pretend  flee
do not  follow, |
If he pretends to
retreat, do not follow him unless you see his entire army moving away from you. |
 Sharp  soldiers
do not  attack, |
Not
translated. |
 Bait war
do not  feed, |
Never permit offerings of deception to
force you into combat based on your overconfidence. |
 Returning home
 legion
do not  block, |
If you encounter the enemy
on his march home, do not attack. He is leaving and has submitted to you. If you
attack when he is in retreat, he will have no alternative but to die for his honor. This
type of warrior is exceedingly dangerous. |
 Encircling
troops
 must  watch-tower, |
If you surround the enemy,
you must see that he has a way out. |
 Poor  pillage
do not  force, | If you
press an enemy when he is trying to leave the area of battle, he will fight
with desperation and you will encounter great loss regardless of your organization. |
Here use
war’s
method also. |
Understand these principles well. They are the foundation of the proper and
intelligent manipulation of troops. |
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