始計第一
Chapter 1: Initial Assessments
孫子曰：兵者，國之大事，死生之地，存亡之道，不可不察也。故經之以五事，校之以七計，而索其情：一曰道，二曰天，三曰地，四曰將，五曰法。
道者，令民與上同意，可與之死，可與之生，而不畏危也。天者，陰陽、寒暑、時制也。地者，高下、遠近、險易、廣狹、死生也。將者，智、信、仁、勇、嚴也。法者，曲制、官道、主用也。凡此五者，將莫不聞，知之者勝，不知者不勝。故校之以七計而索其情，曰：主孰有道？將孰有能？天地孰得？法令孰行？兵眾孰強？士卒孰練？賞罰孰明？吾以此知勝負矣。
The Way means ensuring the people share the same purpose as their leaders, so they will face death or life without fear of danger. Heaven refers to the cycles of yin and yang, cold and heat, and the patterns of the seasons. Earth refers to the terrain—high and low, far and near, treacherous and easy, broad and narrow—and the conditions of life and death. The Commander refers to wisdom, trustworthiness, benevolence, courage, and discipline. The Method refers to organization, command structures, and logistical support. All these five, a commander must understand. Those who know them will prevail; those who do not will fail. Thus, by weighing these seven factors, we can assess the situation: Which ruler has the Way? Which commander has greater ability? Which side holds the advantage of Heaven and Earth? Whose laws and orders are better enforced? Whose troops are stronger? Whose soldiers are better trained? Whose rewards and punishments are clearer? From this, I can foresee victory or defeat.
將聽吾計，用之必勝，留之；將不聽吾計，用之必敗，去之。計利以聽，乃為之勢，以佐其外。勢者，因利而制權也。兵者，詭道也。故能而示之不能，用而示之不用，近而示之遠，遠而示之近。利而誘之，亂而取之，實而備之，強而避之，怒而撓之，卑而驕之，佚而勞之，親而離之。攻其無備，出其不意。此兵家之勝，不可先傳也。
If a general follows my strategies, victory is assured—keep him. If he does not, defeat is certain—dismiss him. Once the strategy is accepted and its advantages clear, create conditions to support its execution. Conditions are shaped by adapting to changing circumstances. War is the way of deception. Thus, when capable, feign incapacity; when active, feign inactivity; when near, appear distant; when distant, appear near. Lure with gain; exploit disorder; prepare against strength; avoid the powerful; provoke the angry; humble the proud; tire the rested; divide the united. Strike where they are unprepared; appear where unexpected. These are the keys to military victory, not to be revealed in advance.
夫未戰而廟算勝者，得算多也；未戰而廟算不勝者，得算少也。多算勝，少算不勝，而況於無算乎？吾以此觀之，勝負見矣。
Those who, before battle, plan thoroughly in the temple and foresee victory, do so because they have considered many factors. Those who, before battle, plan in the temple and foresee defeat, do so because they have considered too few factors. With thorough planning, victory is likely; with insufficient planning, defeat is likely—how much more so with no planning at all? By observing this, the outcome can be seen in advance.