诸侯自战其地者，为散地。
人人之地而不深者，为轻地。
Ground equally accessible is open.
When a state is enclosed by three other states, its territory is focal.
He who first gets control of it will gain the support of the majority of neighbouring states.
我得则利，彼得亦利者，为争地。
When the army has penetrated deep into hostile territory, leaving far behind many enemy cities and towns, it is in serious ground.
我可以往，彼可以来者，为交地。
When the army traverses mountains, forests, or precipitous country, or marches through defiles, marshlands or swamps, or any place where the going is hard, it is in difficult ground.
诸侯之地三属，先至而得天下之众者，为衢地。
Ground to which access is constricted, where the way out is tortuous, and where a small enemy force can strike a larger one, is called encircled.
人人之地深，背城邑多者，为重地。
Ground in which the army survives only if it fights with the courage of desperation is called desperate.
行山林、险阻、沮泽，凡难行之道者，为圮地。
所由入者隘，所从归者迁，彼寡可以击吾之众者，为围地。
And therefore, do not fight in dispersive ground; do not stop in the frontier borderlands.
Do not attack an enemy who occupies key ground first; in open ground, do not allow your formations to become separated and your communications to be blocked.
In focal ground, ally with neighbouring states; in serious ground, gather in plunder.
疾战则存，不疾战则亡者，为死地。
是故散地则无战，轻地则无止，争地则无攻，交地则无绝，衢地则合交，重地则掠，圮地则行，围地则谋，死地则战。
In difficult ground, press on; in encircled ground, devise stratagems; in desperate ground, fight courageously.
In ancient times, those described as skilled in war made it impossible for the enemy to unite his front and his rear, for his divisions both large and small to cooperate, for his good troops to succour the poor, and for officers and men to support each other.
When the enemy’s forces were dispersed, they prevented him from assembling them; even when assembled, they threw him into disorder.
所谓古之善用兵者，能使敌人前后不相及，从寡不相恃，贵贱不相救，上下不相收，卒离而不集，兵合而不齐。
They concentrated and moved when it was advantageous to do so; when not advantageous, they halted.
Should one ask: ‘How do I cope with a well-ordered enemy host about to attack me?’ I reply: ‘Seize something he cherishes and he will conform to your desires.’ Speed is the essence of war.
Take advantage of the enemy’s unpreparedness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack him where he has taken no precautions.
合于利而动，不合于利而止。
敢问：敌众整而将来，待之若何？
曰：先夺其所爱，则听矣。
The general principles applicable to an invading force are that when you have penetrated deeply into hostile territory your army is united and the defender cannot overcome you.
Plunder fertile country to supply your army with plentiful provisions.
Pay heed to nourishing the troops; do not unnecessarily fatigue them.
兵之情主速，乘人之不及，由不虞之道，攻其所不戒也。
Unite them in spirit; conserve their strength.
Make unfathomable plans for the movements of the army.
Throw the troops into a position from which there is no escape, and even when faced with death they will not flee.
凡为客之道：深入则专，主人不克；掠无饶野，三军足食；谨养而勿劳，并气积力；运兵计谋，为不可测。
For if prepared to die, what can they not achieve?
Then officers and men together put forth their utmost efforts.
In a desperate situation, they fear nothing; when there is no way out, they stand firm.
Deep in a hostile land they are bound together, and there, where there is no alternative, they will engage the enemy in hand-to-hand combat.
投之无所往，死且不北，死焉不得，士人尽力。
兵士甚陷则不惧，无所往则固，深入则拘，不得已则斗。
Thus, such troops need no encouragement to be vigilant.
Without extorting their support, the general obtains it; without inviting their affection, he gains it; without demanding their discipline, he wins it.
Prohibit superstitious doubts and do away with rumours; then nobody will flee even facing death.
是故其兵不修而戒，不求而得，不约而亲，不令而信。
My officers have no surplus of wealth, but it is not because they disdain riches; they have no expectation of long life, but it is not because they dislike longevity.
禁祥去疑，至死无所之。
On the day the army is ordered to set out, the tears of those seated soak their garments -- the tears of those reclining course down their cheeks.
吾士无杀财，非恶货也；无余命，非恶寿也。
But throw them into a situation where there is no escape and they will display the immortal courage of Zhuan Zhu and Cao Kuei.
令发之日，士卒坐者涕霑襟，偃卧者涕交颐。
投之无所往者，诸、刿之勇也。
[Zhuan Zhu and Cao Kuei both lived in the Spring and Autumn Period, and were said to be brave warriors undaunted in the face of death.] Now, the troops of those adept in war are used like the ‘simul- taneously responding snake’ of Mount Ch’ang.
故善用兵者，譬如率然；率然者，常山之蛇也。
When struck on the head, its tail attacks; when struck on the tail, its head attacks; when struck in the centre, both head and tail attack.