凡战者，以正合，以奇胜。
And to direct a large force is the same as to direct a few men.
This is a matter of formations and signals.
That the army is certain to sustain the enemy’s attack without suffering defeat is due to operations of the extraordinary and the normal forces.
故善出奇者，无穷如天地，不竭如江河。
And to direct a large force is the same as to direct a few men.
This is a matter of formations and signals.
That the army is certain to sustain the enemy’s attack without suffering defeat is due to operations of the extraordinary and the normal forces.
终而复始，日月是也。
Troops thrown against the enemy as a grindstone against eggs is an example of a solid acting upon a void.
死而复生，四时是也。
Generally, in battle, use the normal force to engage and use the extraordinary to win.
声不过五，五声之变，不可胜听也。
Now, the resources of those skilled in the use of extraordinary forces are all infinite as the heavens and earth, as inexhaustible as the flow of the great rivers, for they end and recommence – cyclical, as are the movements of the sun and moon.
色不过五，五色之变，不可胜观也。
Now, the resources of those skilled in the use of extraordinary forces are all infinite as the heavens and earth, as inexhaustible as the flow of the great rivers, for they end and recommence – cyclical, as are the movements of the sun and moon.
味不过五，五味之变，不可胜尝也。
They die away and are reborn – recurrent, as are the passing seasons.
The musical notes are only five in number, but their combination gives rise to so numerous melodies that one cannot hear them all.
The primary colours are only five in number, but their combinations are so infinite that one cannot visualise them all.
战势不过奇正，奇正之变，不可胜穷也。
They die away and are reborn – recurrent, as are the passing seasons.
The musical notes are only five in number, but their combination gives rise to so numerous melodies that one cannot hear them all.
The primary colours are only five in number, but their combinations are so infinite that one cannot visualise them all.
奇正相生，如循环之无端，孰能穷之？
The flavours are only five in number, but their blends are so various that one cannot taste them all.
In battle, there are only the normal and extraordinary forces, but their combinations are limitless; none can comprehend them all.
For these two forces are mutually reproductive.
It is like moving in an endless circle.
激水之疾，至于漂石者，势也；鹫鸟之疾，至于毁折者，节也。
The flavours are only five in number, but their blends are so various that one cannot taste them all.
In battle, there are only the normal and extraordinary forces, but their combinations are limitless; none can comprehend them all.
For these two forces are mutually reproductive.
It is like moving in an endless circle.
是故善战者，其势险，其节短。
Who can exhaust the possibility of their combination?
When torrential water tosses boulders, it is because of its momentum; when the strike of a hawk breaks the body of its prey, it is because of timing.
Thus, the momentum of one skilled in war is overwhelming, and his attack precisely timed.
势如矿弩，节如发机。
Who can exhaust the possibility of their combination?
When torrential water tosses boulders, it is because of its momentum; when the strike of a hawk breaks the body of its prey, it is because of timing.
Thus, the momentum of one skilled in war is overwhelming, and his attack precisely timed.
纷纷纭纭，斗乱而不可乱也；浑浑沌沌，形圆而不可败也。
His potential is that of a fully drawn crossbow; his timing, that of the release of the trigger.
In the tumult and uproar, the battle seems chaotic, but there must be no disorder in one's own troops.
乱生于治，怯生于勇，弱生于强。
The battlefield may seem in confusion and chaos, but one's array must be in good order.
That will be proof against defeat.
治乱，数也；勇怯，势也；强弱，形也。
Apparent confusion is a product of good order; apparent cowardice, of courage; apparent weakness, of strength.
Order or disorder depends on organisation and direction; courage or cowardice on circumstances; strength or weakness on tactical dispositions.
Thus, one who is skilled at making the enemy move does so by creating a situation, according to which the enemy will act.
故善动敌者，形之，敌必从之；予之，敌必取之；以利动之，以卒待之。
Apparent confusion is a product of good order; apparent cowardice, of courage; apparent weakness, of strength.
Order or disorder depends on organisation and direction; courage or cowardice on circumstances; strength or weakness on tactical dispositions.
Thus, one who is skilled at making the enemy move does so by creating a situation, according to which the enemy will act.
故善战者，求之于势，不责于人，故能择人而任势。
He entices the enemy with something he is certain to want.
He keeps the enemy on the move by holding out bait and then attacks him with picked troops.
Therefore, a skilled commander seeks victory from the situation and does not demand it of his subordinates.
任势者，其战人也，如转木石。
He selects suitable men and exploits the situation.
He who utilises the situation uses his men in fighting as one rolls logs or stones.
木石之性，安则静，危则动，方则止，圆则行。
Now, the nature of logs and stones is that on stable ground they are static; on a slope, they move.
If square, they stop; if round, they roll.
Thus, the energy of troops skilfully commanded in battle may be compared to the momentum of round boulders which roll down from a mountain thousands of feet in height.
故善战人之势，如转圆石于千仞之山者，势也。
Now, the nature of logs and stones is that on stable ground they are static; on a slope, they move.
If square, they stop; if round, they roll.
Thus, the energy of troops skilfully commanded in battle may be compared to the momentum of round boulders which roll down from a mountain thousands of feet in height.