鳥集者，虛也；夜呼者，恐也；
If birds gather on any spot, it is unoccupied. Clamor by night betokens nervousness.
軍擾者，將不重也；旌旗動(dòng)者，亂也；吏怒者，倦也；
If there is disturbance in the camp, the general's authority is weak. If the banners and flags are shifted about, sedition is afoot. If the officers are angry, it means that the men are weary.
殺馬肉食者，軍無糧也；懸□②不返其舍者，窮寇也；
When an army feeds its horses with grain and kills its cattle for food, and when the men do not hang their cooking-pots over the camp-fires, showing that they will not return to their tents, you may know that they are determined to fight to the death.
諄諄□③□③，徐與人言者，失眾也；
The sight of men whispering together in small knots or speaking in subdued tones points to disaffection amongst the rank and file.
數(shù)賞者，窘也；數(shù)罰者，困也；
Too frequent rewards signify that the enemy is at the end of his resources; too many punishments betray a condition of dire distress.
先暴而后畏其眾者，不精之至也；
To begin by bluster, but afterwards to take fright at the enemy's numbers, shows a supreme lack of intelligence.
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.
兵怒而相迎，久而不合，又不相去，必謹(jǐn)察之。
If the enemy's troops march up angrily and remain facing ours for a long time without either joining battle or taking themselves off again, the situation is one that demands great vigilance and circumspection.
兵非貴益多也，惟無武進(jìn)，足以并力料敵取人而已。
If our troops are no more in number than the enemy, that is amply sufficient; it only means that no direct attack can be made. What we can do is simply to concentrate all our available strength, keep a close watch on the enemy, and obtain reinforcements.
夫惟無慮而易敵者，必擒于人。
He who exercises no forethought but makes light of his opponents is sure to be captured by them.
卒未親而罰之，則不服，不服則難用。卒已親附而罰不行，則不可用。
If soldiers are punished before they have grown attached to you, they will not prove submissive; and, unless submissive, then will be practically useless. If, when the soldiers have become attached to you, punishments are not enforced, they will still be unless.
故合之以文，齊之以武，是謂必取。
Therefore soldiers must be treated in the first instance with humanity, but kept under control by means of iron discipline. This is a certain road to victory.
令素行以教其民，則民服；令素不行以教其民，則民不服。
If in training soldiers commands are habitually enforced, the army will be well-disciplined; if not, its discipline will be bad.
令素行者，與眾相得也。
If a general shows confidence in his men but always insists on his orders being obeyed, the gain will be mutual.
【注：】①：“翳”加“艸”頭。②：［垂瓦］。③：［讠翕］。
If birds gather on any spot, it is unoccupied. Clamor by night betokens nervousness.
軍擾者，將不重也；旌旗動(dòng)者，亂也；吏怒者，倦也；
If there is disturbance in the camp, the general's authority is weak. If the banners and flags are shifted about, sedition is afoot. If the officers are angry, it means that the men are weary.
殺馬肉食者，軍無糧也；懸□②不返其舍者，窮寇也；
When an army feeds its horses with grain and kills its cattle for food, and when the men do not hang their cooking-pots over the camp-fires, showing that they will not return to their tents, you may know that they are determined to fight to the death.
諄諄□③□③，徐與人言者，失眾也；
The sight of men whispering together in small knots or speaking in subdued tones points to disaffection amongst the rank and file.
數(shù)賞者，窘也；數(shù)罰者，困也；
Too frequent rewards signify that the enemy is at the end of his resources; too many punishments betray a condition of dire distress.
先暴而后畏其眾者，不精之至也；
To begin by bluster, but afterwards to take fright at the enemy's numbers, shows a supreme lack of intelligence.
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.
兵怒而相迎，久而不合，又不相去，必謹(jǐn)察之。
If the enemy's troops march up angrily and remain facing ours for a long time without either joining battle or taking themselves off again, the situation is one that demands great vigilance and circumspection.
兵非貴益多也，惟無武進(jìn)，足以并力料敵取人而已。
If our troops are no more in number than the enemy, that is amply sufficient; it only means that no direct attack can be made. What we can do is simply to concentrate all our available strength, keep a close watch on the enemy, and obtain reinforcements.
夫惟無慮而易敵者，必擒于人。
He who exercises no forethought but makes light of his opponents is sure to be captured by them.
卒未親而罰之，則不服，不服則難用。卒已親附而罰不行，則不可用。
If soldiers are punished before they have grown attached to you, they will not prove submissive; and, unless submissive, then will be practically useless. If, when the soldiers have become attached to you, punishments are not enforced, they will still be unless.
故合之以文，齊之以武，是謂必取。
Therefore soldiers must be treated in the first instance with humanity, but kept under control by means of iron discipline. This is a certain road to victory.
令素行以教其民，則民服；令素不行以教其民，則民不服。
If in training soldiers commands are habitually enforced, the army will be well-disciplined; if not, its discipline will be bad.
令素行者，與眾相得也。
If a general shows confidence in his men but always insists on his orders being obeyed, the gain will be mutual.
【注：】①：“翳”加“艸”頭。②：［垂瓦］。③：［讠翕］。