In the previous chapter Sun Tzu said to examine five things. But there are moments when examining all five still gives no answer. We are ready. The trouble is that they are ready too.
主孰有道? 將孰有能? 天地孰得? 法令孰行?
zhu shu you dao? jiang shu you neng? tian di shu de? fa ling shu xing?
Which ruler has the Way? Which commander has the greater ability? Which side has heaven and earth? On which side are law and command followed? (The Art of War, Laying Plans, translated directly)
Here Sun Tzu turns the question around. Not “how are we” but “which of the two is more so.”