是故方马埋轮，未足恃也；

Hence it is not enough to put one's trust in the tethering of horses, and the burying of chariot wheels in the ground

齐勇如一，政之道也；

The principle on which to manage an army is to set up one standard of courage which all must reach.

刚柔皆得，地之理也。

How to make the best of both strong and weak--that is a question involving the proper use of ground.

故善用兵者，携手若使一人，不得已也。

Thus the skillful general conducts his army just as though he were leading a single man, willy-nilly, by the hand.

将军之事，静以幽，正以治，

It is the business of a general to be quiet and thus ensure secrecy; upright and just, and thus maintain order.

能愚士卒之耳目，使之无知；

He must be able to mystify his officers and men by false reports and appearances, and thus keep them in total ignorance.

易其事，革其谋，使人无识；易其居，迂其途，使民不得虑。

By altering his arrangements and changing his plans, he keeps the enemy without definite knowledge. By shifting his camp and taking circuitous routes, he prevents the enemy from anticipating his purpose.

帅与之期，如登高而去其梯；帅与之深入诸侯之地，而发其机。

At the critical moment, the leader of an army acts like one who has climbed up a height and then kicks away the ladder behind him. He carries his men deep into hostile territory before he shows his hand.

若驱群羊，驱而往，驱而来，莫知所之。

He burns his boats and breaks his cooking-pots; like a shepherd driving a flock of sheep, he drives his men this way and that, and nothing knows whither he is going.

聚三军之众，投之于险，此谓将军之事也。

To muster his host and bring it into danger:--this may be termed the business of the general.

九地之变，屈伸之力，人情之理，不可不察也。

The different measures suited to the nine varieties of ground; the expediency of aggressive or defensive tactics; and the fundamental laws of human nature: these are things that must most certa