Decisive timing and concentrated energy produce devastating effects: unleash force like a torrent an… — Sun Tzu

Decisive timing and concentrated energy produce devastating effects: unleash force like a torrent and strike with the precision of a falcon.

Key Arguments

When unleashed, troops should surge with the momentum of a torrent that can roll stones.
Quality decisions are those made at the opportune moment, like a falcon’s timed swoop.
Therefore, effective fighters combine ferocity in onset with promptness in decision.
Energy is accumulated (drawn) and then released decisively, like a bent crossbow and its trigger.

12. The onset of troops is like the rush of a torrent which will even roll stones along in its course. 13.

13. The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim. 14.

14. Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision. 15.

15. Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to the releasing of a trigger. 16.

The onset of troops is like the rush of a torrent which will even roll stones along in its course.
The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim.
Therefore the good fighter will be terrible in his onset, and prompt in his decision.
Energy may be likened to the bending of a crossbow; decision, to the releasing of a trigger.

v. Energy (lines 273–321)