寡者，备人者也；众者，使人备己者也。

Numerical weakness comes from having to prepare against possible attacks; numerical strength, from compelling our adversary to make these preparations against us.

故知战之地，知战之日，则可千里而会战；

Knowing the place and the time of the coming battle, we may concentrate from the greatest distances in order to fight.

不知战之地，不知战日，则左不能救右，右不能救左，前不能救后，后不能救前，而况远者数十里，近者数里乎！

But if neither time nor place be known, then the left wing will be impotent to succor the right, the right equally impotent to succor the left, the van unable to relieve the rear, or the rear to support the van. How much more so if the furthest portions of the army are anything under a hundred LI apart, and even the nearest are separated by several LI!

以吾度之，越人之兵虽多，亦奚益于胜哉！故曰：胜可为也。

Though according to my estimate the soldiers of Yueh exceed our own in number, that shall advantage them nothing in the matter of victory. I say then that victory can be achieved.

敌虽众，可使无斗。故策之而知得失之计，

Though the enemy be stronger in numbers, we may prevent him from fighting. Scheme so as to discover his plans and the likelihood of their success.

候之而知动静之理，形之而知死生之地，

Rouse him, and learn the principle of his activity or inactivity. Force him to reveal himself, so as to find out his vulnerable spots.

角之而知有余不足之处。

Carefully compare the opposing army with your own, so that you may know where strength is superabundant and where it is deficient.