故战道必胜，主曰无战，必战可也；战道不胜，主曰必战，无战可也。

If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight, even though the ruler forbid it; if fighting will not result in victory, then you must not fight even at the ruler's bidding.

故进不求名，退不避罪，唯民是保，而利于主，国之宝也。

The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom.

视卒如婴儿，故可以与之赴深溪；视卒如爱子，故可与之俱死。

Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.

厚而不能使，爱而不能令，乱而不能治，譬若骄子，不可用也。

If, however, you are indulgent, but unable to make your authority felt; kind-hearted, but unable to enforce your commands; and incapable, moreover, of quelling disorder: then your soldiers must be likened to spoilt children; they are useless for any practical purpose.

知吾卒之可以击，而不知敌之不可击，胜之半也；

If we know that our own men are in a condition to attack, but are unaware that the enemy is not open to attack, we have gone only halfway towards victory.

知敌之可击，而不知吾卒之不可以击，胜之半也；

If we know that the enemy is open to attack, but are unaware that our own men are not in a condition to attack, we have gone only halfway towards victory.

知敌之可击，知吾卒之可以击，而不知地形之不可以战，胜之半也。

If we know that the enemy is open to attack, and also know that our men are in a condition to attack, but are unaware that the nature of the ground makes fighting impracticable, we have still gone only halfway towards victory.

故知兵者，动而不迷，举而不穷。

Hence the experienced soldier, once in motion, is never bewildered; once he has broken camp, he is never at a loss.

故曰：知彼知己，胜乃不殆；知天知地，胜乃可全。

Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory complete.