凡此六者，敗之道也，將之至任，不可不察也。
These are six ways of courting defeat, which must be carefully noted by the general who has attained a responsible post.
夫地形者，兵之助也。料敵制勝，計(jì)險(xiǎn)隘遠(yuǎn)近，上將之道也。
The natural formation of the country is the soldier's best ally; but a power of estimating the adversary, of controlling the forces of victory, and of shrewdly calculating difficulties, dangers and distances, constitutes the test of a great general
知此而用戰(zhàn)者必勝，不知此而用戰(zhàn)者必?cái) ?BR> He who knows these things, and in fighting puts his knowledge into practice, will win his battles. He who knows them not, nor practices them, will surely be defeated.
故戰(zhàn)道必勝，主曰無戰(zhàn)，必戰(zhàn)可也；戰(zhàn)道不勝，主曰必戰(zhàn)，無戰(zhàn)可也。
If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight, even though the ruler forbid it; if fighting will not result in victory, then you must not fight even at the ruler's bidding.
故進(jìn)不求名，退不避罪，唯民是保，而利于主，國之寶也。
The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom.
視卒如嬰兒，故可以與之赴深溪；視卒如愛子，故可與之俱死。
Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.
厚而不能使，愛而不能令，亂而不能治，譬若驕子，不可用也。
If, however, you are indulgent, but unable to make your authority felt; kind-hearted, but unable to enforce your commands; and incapable, moreover, of quelling disorder: then your soldiers must be likened to spoilt children; they are useless for any practical purpose.
知吾卒之可以擊，而不知敵之不可擊，勝之半也；
If we know that our own men are in a condition to attack, but are unaware that the enemy is not open to attack, we have gone only halfway towards victory.
知敵之可擊，而不知吾卒之不可以擊，勝之半也；
If we know that the enemy is open to attack, but are unaware that our own men are not in a condition to attack, we have gone only halfway towards victory.
知敵之可擊，知吾卒之可以擊，而不知地形之不可以戰(zhàn)，勝之半也。
If we know that the enemy is open to attack, and also know that our men are in a condition to attack, but are unaware that the nature of the ground makes fighting impracticable, we have still gone only halfway towards victory.
故知兵者，動(dòng)而不迷，舉而不窮。
Hence the experienced soldier, once in motion, is never bewildered; once he has broken camp, he is never at a loss.
故曰：知彼知己，勝乃不殆；知天知地，勝乃可全。
Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory complete
These are six ways of courting defeat, which must be carefully noted by the general who has attained a responsible post.
夫地形者，兵之助也。料敵制勝，計(jì)險(xiǎn)隘遠(yuǎn)近，上將之道也。
The natural formation of the country is the soldier's best ally; but a power of estimating the adversary, of controlling the forces of victory, and of shrewdly calculating difficulties, dangers and distances, constitutes the test of a great general
知此而用戰(zhàn)者必勝，不知此而用戰(zhàn)者必?cái) ?BR> He who knows these things, and in fighting puts his knowledge into practice, will win his battles. He who knows them not, nor practices them, will surely be defeated.
故戰(zhàn)道必勝，主曰無戰(zhàn)，必戰(zhàn)可也；戰(zhàn)道不勝，主曰必戰(zhàn)，無戰(zhàn)可也。
If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight, even though the ruler forbid it; if fighting will not result in victory, then you must not fight even at the ruler's bidding.
故進(jìn)不求名，退不避罪，唯民是保，而利于主，國之寶也。
The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom.
視卒如嬰兒，故可以與之赴深溪；視卒如愛子，故可與之俱死。
Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.
厚而不能使，愛而不能令，亂而不能治，譬若驕子，不可用也。
If, however, you are indulgent, but unable to make your authority felt; kind-hearted, but unable to enforce your commands; and incapable, moreover, of quelling disorder: then your soldiers must be likened to spoilt children; they are useless for any practical purpose.
知吾卒之可以擊，而不知敵之不可擊，勝之半也；
If we know that our own men are in a condition to attack, but are unaware that the enemy is not open to attack, we have gone only halfway towards victory.
知敵之可擊，而不知吾卒之不可以擊，勝之半也；
If we know that the enemy is open to attack, but are unaware that our own men are not in a condition to attack, we have gone only halfway towards victory.
知敵之可擊，知吾卒之可以擊，而不知地形之不可以戰(zhàn)，勝之半也。
If we know that the enemy is open to attack, and also know that our men are in a condition to attack, but are unaware that the nature of the ground makes fighting impracticable, we have still gone only halfway towards victory.
故知兵者，動(dòng)而不迷，舉而不窮。
Hence the experienced soldier, once in motion, is never bewildered; once he has broken camp, he is never at a loss.
故曰：知彼知己，勝乃不殆；知天知地，勝乃可全。
Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory complete