Art of War Chapter – 5.3

Raging water rushing at great speed can carry boulders away – this is the power of momentum.
A fierce bird swoops down and breaks its prey – this is the precision of timing and interval.

Thus a skilled warrior creates a dangerous momentum and strikes with a tight, swift interval. His momentum is like a fully drawn crossbow; his strike is like releasing the trigger in an instant.

Note

Momentum

The overall dominant posture and accumulated power on the battlefield.

Timing & interval

The grasp of attack distance and striking rhythm, striking swiftly at the right moment.

Crossbow metaphor

A classic military analogy for accumulated power and instant release.

激水之疾，至于漂石者，勢也。鷙鳥之擊，至于毀折者，節也。是故善戰者，其勢險，其節短，勢如張弩，節如機發。