Art of War 9.38
The Art of War (孫子兵法), The Army On The March 行軍篇
來委謝者欲休息也
When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce.
Lionel Giles (1910), Sun Tzŭ on the Art of War (1910), with Giles' notes — public domain.
Lionel Giles's notes
Tu Mu says: 所以委質來謝此乃勢已窮或有他故必欲休息也 “If the enemy open friendly relations by sending hostages, it is a sign that they are anxious for an armistice, either because their strength is exhausted or for some other reason.” But it hardly needs a Sun Tzŭ to draw such an obvious inference; and although Tu Mu is supported by Mei Yao-ch‘ên and Chang Yü, I cannot think that hostages are indicated by the word 委.
Character glossary
- 來láito arrive, to come, to return; in the fu
- 委wěito appoint, to commission, to send
- 謝xièto thank; to refuse politely
- 者zhěthat which; they who; those who
- 欲yùdesire, want, longing, intent
- 休xiūto rest; to stop; to retire
- 息xīto end, to cease, to put a stop to; paus
- 也yěalso, too
Passages with shared wording
Data: English Wikisource (Public domain texts; transcription CC BY-SA 4.0). Retrieved 2026-10-22.