1.1

孙子曰：兵者，国之大事，死生之地，存亡之道，不可不察也。

Sunzi said: War is a matter of the utmost importance to the state. Life or death hinges on it; it is the road to survival or extinction. It is something that must definitely not be neglected.

To do this, it is necessary to examine each war situation from five angles to be taken into account in one's strategic deliberations: Morale, Weather, Terrain, Leadership and Discipline.

1.2

道者，令民与上同意也。故可以与之死，可以与之生，而不畏危。天者，阴阳、寒暑、时制也。地者，远近、险易、广狭、死生也。将者，智、信、仁、勇、严也。法者，曲制、官道、主用也。凡此五者，将莫不闻，知之者胜，不知者不胜。

Morale is what keeps the people in complete accord with their sovereign, ready to lay down their lives for him without wavering. Weather covers day and night, cold and heat, time and season. Terrain covers high and low, near and far, dangerous and secure, open and constricted, and life-to-death situations. Leadership covers wisdom, trustworthiness, compassion, courage and strictness. Discipline covers military organization, assignment of ranks, and logistics. Every commander should be well-versed in all these five aspects. He who masters them wins; he who does not, loses.

1.3

故校之以计，而索其情，曰：主孰有道？将孰有能？天地孰得？法令孰行？兵众孰强？士卒孰练？赏罚孰明？吾以此知胜负矣。

And so, when making his plans a general should consider the following: Which side has higher morale? Which commander is more capable? Which side has more advantages in weather and terrain? Which army has better discipline? Which army is stronger? Which side’s officers and men are better trained? Which army has a clearer system of rewards and punishments? On the basis of the answers to these questions, the result of hostilities can be known.

1.4

将听吾计，用之必胜，留之；将不听吾计，用之必败，去之。

A commander who takes notice of my stratagems and uses them is sure to win, and I would remain; a commander who takes no notice of my stratagems and does not use them is sure to lose, and I would leave.

1.5

计利以听，乃为之势，以佐其外。势者，因利而制权也。

Once the advantages of my stratagems are understood, then they should be applied to the circumstances in a flexible way. This means that they should be used to gain the upper hand in any situation.

1.6

兵者，诡道也。故能而示之不能，用而示之不用，近而示之远，远而示之近。利而诱之，乱而取之，实而备之，强而避之，怒而挠之，卑而骄之，佚而劳之，亲而离之，攻其无备，出其不意。此兵家之胜，不可先传也。

The secret of victory lies in deception. And so, when capable of action, appear incapable; when deploying troops, seem to be idle; when near, appear to be distant; when distant, appear to be near; lure the enemy with the bait of an advantage to him; feign confusion to capture him; if he is solid, prepare to counter him; if he is stronger than you, avoid him; if he is angry, taunt him; if he is humble, make him arrogant; when he is trying to rest, harass him; when his forces are compact, drive them apart; attack when he is unprepared; appear when he least expects it. This is how a strategist wins a victory. However, these tactics can only be applied on the spot.