涂有所不由，军有所不击，城有所不攻，地有所不争，君命有所不受。
In enclosed ground, resort to stratagem.
In death ground, fight a last-ditch battle.
There are some roads which must not be followed, some troops which must not be attacked, some cities which must not be assaulted, and some ground which should not be contested.
There are also occasions when the commands of the sovereign need not be obeyed.
故将通于九变之利者，知用兵矣；将不通于九变之利者，虽知地形，不能得地之利矣；治兵不知九变之术，虽知五利，不能得人之用矣。
Therefore, a general thoroughly versed in the advantages of the nine variable factors knows how to employ troops.
One who does not understand their advantages will not be able to use the terrain to his advantage even though he is well acquainted with it.
In the direction of military operations, one who does not understand the tactics suitable to the nine variable situations will be unable to use his troops effectively, even if he understands the 'five advantages' [referring to the five situations mentioned at the beginning of this paragraph].
是故智者之虑，必杂于利害。
And for this reason, a wise general in his deliberations must consider both favourable and unfavourable factors.
杂于利，而务可信也；杂于害，而患可解也。
By taking into account the favourable factors, he makes his plan feasible; by taking into account the unfavourable, he may avoid possible disasters.
是故屈诸侯者以害，役诸侯者以业，趋诸侯者以利。
He who wants to subdue dukes in neighbouring states does so by inflicting injury upon them.
He who wants to control them does so by keeping them constantly occupied, and he who makes them rush about does so by offering them ostensible advantages.
It is a doctrine of war not to assume the enemy will not come but rather to rely on one's readiness to meet him, and not to presume that he will not attack but rather to make oneself invincible.
故用兵之法，无恃其不来，恃吾有以待也；无恃其不攻，恃吾有所不可攻也。
He who wants to subdue dukes in neighbouring states does so by inflicting injury upon them.
He who wants to control them does so by keeping them constantly occupied, and he who makes them rush about does so by offering them ostensible advantages.
It is a doctrine of war not to assume the enemy will not come but rather to rely on one's readiness to meet him, and not to presume that he will not attack but rather to make oneself invincible.
故将有五危：必死，可杀也；必生，可虏也；忿速，可侮也；廉洁，可辱也；爱民，可烦也。
There are five qualities which are fatal in the character of a general: if reckless, he can be killed; if cowardly, captured; if quick- tempered, he can be provoked to rage and make a fool of himself; if he has too delicate a sense of honour, he can be easily insulted; if he is of a compassionate nature, you can harass him.
凡此五者，将之过也，用兵之灾也。
Now these five traits of character are serious faults in a general and in military operations are calamitous.
覆军杀将，必以五危，不可不察也。
The ruin of the army and the death of the general are inevitable results of these shortcomings.
They must be deeply pondered.