见利而不进者，劳也；

If the enemy sees an advantage to be gained and makes no effort to secure it, the soldiers are exhausted.

鸟集者，虚也；夜呼者，恐也；

If birds gather on any spot, it is unoccupied. Clamor by night betokens nervousness.

军扰者，将不重也；旌旗动者，乱也；吏怒者，倦也；

If there is disturbance in the camp, the general's authority is weak. If the banners and flags are shifted about, sedition is afoot. If the officers are angry, it means that the men are weary.

杀马肉食者，军无粮也；悬□②不返其舍者，穷寇也；

When an army feeds its horses with grain and kills its cattle for food, and when the men do not hang their cooking-pots over the camp-fires, showing that they will not return to their tents, you may know that they are determined to fight to the death.

谆谆□③□③，徐与人言者，失众也；

The sight of men whispering together in small knots or speaking in subdued tones points to disaffection amongst the rank and file.

数赏者，窘也；数罚者，困也；

Too frequent rewards signify that the enemy is at the end of his resources; too many punishments betray a condition of dire distress.

先暴而后畏其众者，不精之至也；

To begin by bluster, but afterwards to take fright at the enemy's numbers, shows a supreme lack of intelligence.

来委谢者，欲休息也。

When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce.

兵怒而相迎，久而不合，又不相去，必谨察之。

If the enemy's troops march up angrily and remain facing ours for a long time without either joining battle or taking themselves off again, the situation is one that demands great vigilance and circumspection.

兵非贵益多也，惟无武进，足以并力料敌取人而已。

If our troops are no more in number than the enemy, that is amply sufficient; it only means that no direct attack can be made. What we can do is simply to concentrate all our available strength, keep a close watch on the enemy, and obtain reinforcements.

夫惟无虑而易敌者，必擒于人。

He who exercises no forethought but makes light of his opponents is sure to be captured by them.

卒未亲而罚之，则不服，不服则难用。卒已亲附而罚不行，则不可用。

If soldiers are punished before they have grown attached to you, they will not prove submissive; and, unless submissive, then will be practically useless. If, when the soldiers have become attached to you, punishments are not enforced, they will still be unless.

故合之以文，齐之以武，是谓必取。

Therefore soldiers must be treated in the first instance with humanity, but kept under control by means of iron discipline. This is a certain road to victory.

令素行以教其民，则民服；令素不行以教其民，则民不服。

If in training soldiers commands are habitually enforced, the army will be well-disciplined; if not, its discipline will be bad.

令素行者，与众相得也。

If a general shows confidence in his men but always insists on his orders being obeyed, the gain will be mutual.

【注：】①：“翳”加“艹”头。②：［垂瓦］。③：［讠翕］。