孙子兵法•计篇
Sun Zi: The Art of War
[春秋]孙武
By Sun Zi
孙子曰：兵者，国之大事，死生之地，存亡之道，不可不察也。
Sun Zi said:War is a question of vital importance to the state, a matter of Jife and death, tlie road to survival or ruin. Hence, it is a subject which calls for careful study.
故经之以五事，校之以计而索其情：—曰道，二曰天，三田地，四曰将，五曰法。道者，令民与上同意也。故可以与之死，可以与之生，而不畏危。天者，阴阳、寒暑、时制也。地者，远近，险易、广狭、死生也。将者，智、信、仁勇、 严也。法者，曲制、官道、主用也。凡此五者，将莫不闻，知之者胜，不知者不胜，故校之以计而索其情，曰：主孰有道？将孰有能？天地孰得？法令孰行？兵众孰强？ 士卒孰练？赏罚孰明？吾以此知胜负矣。
To assess the outcome of a war, we need to examine the belligerent parties and compare them in terms of the following five fundamental factors. The first is the way (dao 道);the second, heaven (tian 天）；the third, earth (di 地)；the fourth, command (jiang 将); and the fifth, rules and regulations (fa 法).By "the way", I mean moral influence, or that which causes the people to think in line with iheir sovereign so that they will follow him thmugh every vicissitude, whether to live or to die, without fear of mortal peril.By "heaven" I mean the effects of night and ciiiyt of good and bad weather, of winter's cold and summer's heat; in short, the conduct of military operations in accordance with the changes of natural forces.By "earth", I mean distance, whether it is great or small; the terrainf whether it is tneacherous or secure; the land, whether it is open or constricted; and the place, whether it portends life or death.By "command", I mean the wisdom, trustworthiness, benevolence, countge and firmness of the commanden.By"rules and regukuions",I mean the principles guiding the organization of army units, the appointment and administration of officers and the management of military supplies and expenditures.There is no general who has not heard of these five factors. Yet it is he that masters them who wins and he that does not who loses. Therefore, when assessing the outcome of a war, compare the two sides in terms of the above factors and appraise the situation accordingly.Hind out which sovereign possesses more moral influence, which general is more capable, which side has the advantages of heaven and earthy which army is better disciplined, whose tmops are better armed and trained, which command is more impartial in meeting out rewards tirid punishments, and I will be able to forecast which side will he victorious.
将听吾计，用之必胜，留之；将不听吾计，用之必敗，去之。
The general who employs my assessment methods is bound to win; I shall therefore stay with him. The general who does not heed my words will ccrtyinly lose; I shall leave him.
计利以听，乃为之势，以佐其外。势者，因利而制权也。
Having paid heed to my assessment of the relative advantages and disadvantages, the general must create a favorable strategic situation which will help bring the victory to fruition.By this I mean being flexible and making the most of tht advantages to gain the initiative in war.
兵者，诡道也。故能而示之不能，用而示之不用，近而示之远，远而示之近 利而诱之，乱而取之，实而备之，强而避之，怒而挠之，卑而骄之，使而劳之亲 而离之。攻其无备，出其不意，此兵家之胜，不可先传也。夫未战而庙算胜者，得算多也，未战而庙算不胜者，得算少也。多算胜，少算不胜，而此于无算手！吾以此观之，胜负见矣。
War is a game of deception. Therefore feign incapability when in fact capable; feign inactivity when ready to strike; appear to be far away when actually nearby, and vice versa.When the enemy is greedy for gains, hand out a bait to lure him; when he is in disorder, attack and overcome him; when he boasts substantial strength, be doubly prepared against him; and when he is formidable, evade him.If he is given to anger, provoke him. If he is timid and careful, encourage his arrogance. If his forces are rested, wear them down. If he is united, divide him.Attack where he is least prepared. Take action when he least expects you.Herein lies a strategist's subtlety of command which impossible to codify in hard- and-fast rules beforehand.He who makes full assessment of the situation at the prewar council meeting in the temple (translator's note: an ancient Chinese practice) is more likely to win. He who makes insufficient assessment of the situation al this meeting is less likely to win. This being the case, what chance has he of winning if he makes no assessment at all? With my assessment method, I can forecast who is Likdy to emerge victor.