不可胜在己，可胜在敌。
Invincibility depends on oneself, but the enemy’s vulnerability on himself.
故善战者，能为不可胜，不能使敌之可胜。
It follows that those skilled in war can make themselves invincible but cannot cause an enemy to be certainly vulnerable.
故曰：胜可知，而不可为。
Therefore, it can be said that, one may know how to win, but cannot necessarily do so.
不可胜者，守也；可胜者，攻也。
Defend yourself when you cannot defeat the enemy, and attack the enemy when you can.
守则不足，攻则有余。
One defends when his strength is inadequate; he attacks when it is abundant.
善守者，藏于九地之下；善攻者，动于九天之上，故能自保而全胜也。
Those who are skilled in defence hide themselves as under the ninefold earth; [in ancient China, the number nine was used to signify the highest number.] Those in attack flash forth as from above the ninefold heavens.
见胜不过众人之所知，非善之善者也；战胜而天下日善，非善之善者也。
Thus, they are capable both of protecting themselves and of gaining a complete victory.
To foresee a victory which the ordinary man can foresee is not the acme of excellence.
Neither is it if you triumph in battle and are universally acclaimed ‘expert’, for to lift an autumn down requires no great strength, to distinguish between the sun and moon is no test of vision, to hear the thunderclap is no indication of acute hearing.
故举秋毫不为多力，见日月不为明目，闻雷霆不为聪耳。
Thus, they are capable both of protecting themselves and of gaining a complete victory.
To foresee a victory which the ordinary man can foresee is not the acme of excellence.
Neither is it if you triumph in battle and are universally acclaimed ‘expert’, for to lift an autumn down requires no great strength, to distinguish between the sun and moon is no test of vision, to hear the thunderclap is no indication of acute hearing.
古之所谓善战者，胜于易胜者也。
In ancient times, those called skilled in war conquered an enemy easily conquered.
And, therefore, the victories won by a master of war gain him neither reputation for wisdom nor merit for courage.
For he wins his victories without erring.
故善战者之胜也，无智名，无勇功。
In ancient times, those called skilled in war conquered an enemy easily conquered.
And, therefore, the victories won by a master of war gain him neither reputation for wisdom nor merit for courage.
For he wins his victories without erring.
故其战胜不忒，不忒者，其所措必胜，胜已败者也。
Without erring he establishes the certainty of his victory; he conquers an enemy already defeated.
Therefore, the skilful commander takes up a position in which he cannot be defeated and misses no opportunity to overcome his enemy.
故善战者，立于不败之地，而不失敌之败也。
Thus, a victorious army always seeks battle after his plans indicate that victory is possible under them, whereas an army destined to defeat fights in the hope of winning but without any planning.
Those skilled in war cultivate their policies and strictly adhere to the laws and regulations.
Thus, it is in their power to control success.
是故胜兵先胜而后求战，败兵先战而后求胜。
Thus, a victorious army always seeks battle after his plans indicate that victory is possible under them, whereas an army destined to defeat fights in the hope of winning but without any planning.
Those skilled in war cultivate their policies and strictly adhere to the laws and regulations.
Thus, it is in their power to control success.
善用兵者，修道而保法，故能为胜败之政。
Now, the elements of the art of war are first, the measurement of space; second, the estimation of quantities; third, calculations; fourth, comparisons; and fifth, chances of victory.
Measurements of space are derived from the ground.
Quantities derive from measurement, figures from quantities, comparisons from figures, and victory from comparisons.
兵法：一日度，二日量，三日数，四日称，五日胜。
Now, the elements of the art of war are first, the measurement of space; second, the estimation of quantities; third, calculations; fourth, comparisons; and fifth, chances of victory.
Measurements of space are derived from the ground.
Quantities derive from measurement, figures from quantities, comparisons from figures, and victory from comparisons.
地生度，度生量，量生数，数生称，称生胜。
Thus, a victorious army is as one yi [an ancient Chinese weight, approximately equivalent to 24 ounces] balanced against a grain, and a defeated army is as a grain balanced against one yi.
故胜兵若以镒称铢，败兵若以铢称镒。
It is because of disposition that a victorious general is able to make his soldiers fight with the effect of pent-up waters which, suddenly released, plunge into a bottomless abyss.
胜者之战，若决积水于千仞之溪者，形也。
It is because of disposition that a victorious general is able to make his soldiers fight with the effect of pent-up waters which, suddenly released, plunge into a bottomless abyss.