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。
All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must seem inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.
利而诱之，乱而取之，实而备之，强而避之。攻其无备，出其不意。
Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him.
If he is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him.
Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected.
百战百胜，非善之善者也；不战而屈人之兵，善之善者也。
Hence to fight and conquer in all your battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.
用兵之法，十则围之，五则攻之，倍则分之，敌则能战之，少则能逃之，不若则能避之。
It is the rule in war, if our forces are ten to the enemy's one, to surround him; if five to one, to attack him; if twice as numerous, to divide our army into two. If equally matched, we can offer battle; if slightly inferior in numbers, we can avoid the enemy; if quite unequal in every way, we can flee from him.
知可以战与不可以战者，胜。
He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.
知彼知己，百战不殆；不知彼而知己，一胜一负，不知彼不知己，每战必殆。Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will also suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself, you will succumb in every battle.
兵无常势，水无常形，能因敌变化而取胜者，谓之神。
Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions. He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be called a heaven-born captain.
善用兵者，避其锐气，击其惰归。
A clever general, therefore, avoids an army when its spirit is keen, but attacks it when it is sluggish and inclined to return.
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.
