故不知诸侯之谋者，不能豫交；

We cannot enter into alliances until we are acquainted with the designs of our neighbors.

不知山林、险阻、沮泽之形者，不能行军；

We are not fit to lead an army on the march unless we are familiar with the face of the country--its mountains and forests, its pitfalls and precipices, its marshes and swamps.

不用乡导者，不能得地利。

We shall be unable to turn natural advantage to account unless we make use of local guides.

故兵以诈立，以利动，

In war, practice dissimulation, and you will succeed.

以分和为变者也。

Whether to concentrate or to divide your troops, must be decided by circumstances.

故其疾如风，其徐如林，

Let your rapidity be that of the wind, your compactness that of the forest.

侵掠如火，不动如山，

In raiding and plundering be like fire, is immovability like a mountain.

难知如阴，动如雷震。

Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.

掠乡分众，廓地分利，

When you plunder a countryside, let the spoil be divided amongst your men; when you capture new territory, cut it up into allotments for the benefit of the soldiery.

悬权而动。

Ponder and deliberate before you make a move.

先知迂直之计者胜，此军争之法也。

He will conquer who has learnt the artifice of deviation. Such is the art of maneuvering.