Measurement owes its existence to Earth; Estimation of quantity to
Measurement; Calculation to Estimation of quantity; Balancing of
chances to Calculation; and Victory to Balancing of chances.
It is not easy to distinguish the four terms 度量數稱 very clearly.
The first seems to be surveying and measurement of the ground,
which enable us to 量 form an estimate of the enemy’s strength, and
to 數 make calculations based on the data thus obtained; we are
thus led to 稱 a general weighing-up, or comparison of the enemy’s
chances with our own; if the latter turn the scale, then 勝 victory
ensues. The chief difficulty lies in 數, which some commentators
take as a calculation of _numbers_, thereby making it nearly
synonymous with 量. Perhaps 量 is rather a consideration of the
enemy’s general position or condition (情 or 形勢), while 數 is
the estimate of his numerical strength. On the other hand, Tu Mu
defines 數 as 機數, and adds: 强弱已定然後能用機變數也 “the question
of relative strength having been settled, we can bring the
varied resources of cunning into play.” Ho Shih seconds this
interpretation, which is weakened, however, by the fact that 稱 is
given as logically consequent on 數; this certainly points to the
latter being a calculation of numbers. Of Capt. Calthrop’s version
the less said the better.