故形兵之极，至于无形。无形则深间不能窥，智者不能谋。

In making tactical dispositions, the highest pitch you can attain is to conceal them; conceal your dispositions, and you will be safe from the prying of the subtlest spies, from the machinations of the wisest brains.

因形而措胜于众，众不能知。

How victory may be produced for them out of the enemy's own tactics--that is what the multitude cannot comprehend.

人皆知我所以胜之形，而莫知吾所以制胜之形。

All men can see the tactics whereby I conquer, but what none can see is the strategy out of which victory is evolved.

故其战胜不复，而应形于无穷。

Do not repeat the tactics which have gained you one victory, but let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances.

夫兵形象水，水之行避高而趋下，

Military tactics are like unto water; for water in its natural course runs away from high places and hastens downwards.

兵之形避实而击虚；

So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak.

水因地而制流，兵因敌而制胜。

Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing.

故兵无常势，水无常形。

Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions.

能因敌变化而取胜者，谓之神。

He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be called a heaven-born captain.

故五行无常胜，四时无常位，日有短长，月有死生。

The five elements (water, fire, wood, metal, earth) are not always equally predominant; the four seasons make way for each other in turn. There are short days and long; the moon has its periods of waning and waxing.