重地吾將繼其食，泛地吾將進其途，
On serious ground, I would try to ensure a continuous stream of supplies. On difficult ground, I would keep pushing on along the road.
圍地吾將塞其闕，死地吾將示之以不活。
On hemmed-in ground, I would block any way of retreat. On desperate ground, I would proclaim to my soldiers the hopelessness of saving their lives.
故兵之情：圍則御，不得已則斗，過則從。
For it is the soldier's disposition to offer an obstinate resistance when surrounded, to fight hard when he cannot help himself, and to obey promptly when he has fallen into danger.
是故不知諸侯之謀者，不能預交；不知山林、險阻、沮澤之形者，不能行軍；不用鄉(xiāng)導，不能得地利。
We cannot enter into alliance with neighboring princes until we are acquainted with their designs. We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country--its mountains and forests, its pitfalls and precipices, its marshes and swamps. We shall be unable to turn natural advantages to account unless we make use of local guides.
四五者，一不知，非霸王之兵也。
To be ignored of any one of the following four or five principles does not befit a warlike prince.
夫霸王之兵，伐大國，則其眾不得聚；威加于敵，則其交不得合。
When a warlike prince attacks a powerful state, his generalship shows itself in preventing the concentration of the enemy's forces. He overawes his opponents, and their allies are prevented from joining against him.
是故不爭天下之交，不養(yǎng)天下之權(quán)，信己之私，威加于敵，則其城可拔，其國可隳。
Hence he does not strive to ally himself with all and sundry, nor does he foster the power of other states. He carries out his own secret designs, keeping his antagonists in awe. Thus he is able to capture their cities and overthrow their kingdoms.
施無法之賞，懸無政之令。犯三軍之眾，若使一人。
Bestow rewards without regard to rule, issue orders without regard to previous arrangements; and you will be able to handle a whole army as though you had to do with but a single man.
犯之以事，勿告以言；犯之以害，勿告以利。
Confront your soldiers with the deed itself; never let them know your design. When the outlook is bright, bring it before their eyes; but tell them nothing when the situation is gloomy.
投之亡地然后存，陷之死地然后生。
Place your army in deadly peril, and it will survive; plunge it into desperate straits, and it will come off in safety.
夫眾陷于害，然后能為勝敗。
For it is precisely when a force has fallen into harm's way that is capable of striking a blow for victory.
故為兵之事，在順詳敵之意，
Success in warfare is gained by carefully accommodating ourselves to the enemy's purpose.
并敵一向，千里殺將，
By persistently hanging on the enemy's flank, we shall succeed in the long run in killing the commander-in-chief.
是謂巧能成事。
This is called ability to accomplish a thing by sheer cunning.
是故政舉之日，夷關(guān)折符，無通其使，
On the day that you take up your command, block the frontier passes, destroy the official tallies, and stop the passage of all emissaries.
厲于廊廟之上，以誅其事。
Be stern in the council-chamber, so that you may control the situation.
敵人開闔，必亟入之，
If the enemy leaves a door open, you must rush in.
先其所愛，微與之期，
Forestall your opponent by seizing what he holds dear, and subtly contrive to time his arrival on the ground.
踐墨隨敵，以決戰(zhàn)事。
Walk in the path defined by rule, and accommodate yourself to the enemy until you can fight a decisive battle.
是故始如處女，敵人開戶；后如脫兔，敵不及拒。
At first, then, exhibit the coyness of a maiden, until the enemy gives you an opening; afterwards emulate the rapidity of a running hare, and it will be too late for the enemy to oppose you.