If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in
superior strength, evade him.
The meaning of 實 is made clear from chap. VI, where it is opposed
to 虛 “weak or vulnerable spots.” 强, according to Tu Yu and other
commentators, has reference to the keenness of the men as well as
to numerical superiority. Capt. Calthrop evolves an
extraordinarily far-fetched translation: “If there are defects,
give an appearance of perfection, and awe the enemy. Pretend to be
strong, and so cause the enemy to avoid you”!