Attacking-Sun Zi
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Attacking Troops
Original: 故用兵之法，十而围之，五则攻之，倍而分之，敌而战之，少则能逃之，不若则能避之。故小敌之坚，大敌之擒也。
Modern: 用兵法则是，我方有十倍于敌人的兵力就包围他，我方有五倍于敌人的兵力就攻击他，我方有两倍于敌人的兵力就分散他，我方与敌人有相等兵力就须设法战胜他，我方兵力比敌人少就须摆脱他，我方实力比敌人弱就须避免与他决战。因为不管弱小的军队再怎么顽强，也是会成为强大敌人的俘虏。
English: When you outnumber your enemy ten to one, surround him. When you outnumber your enemy five to one, attack him. When you outnumber your enemy two to one, divide him. When the troops are comparable, there is a possibility of engaging him. When the enemy is larger in number, be able to escape from him. When greatly inferior in numbers than the enemy, be able to avoid him. Because regardless of how resilient the smaller troop is, it will definitely be captured by the stronger and larger troops.
From: Sun Zi Art of War Chapter 3
Defence and Offence
Original: 不可胜者，守也；可胜者，攻也。守则不足，攻则有余。善守者，藏于九地之下，善攻者，动于九天之上，故能自保而全胜也。
Modern: 当不可能战胜敌人时，应该进行防御。当可以战胜敌人时，应该进攻。采取守势是因为资源不足，采取攻势是因为资源充足或有余。善于防守者，深深隐蔽自己兵力于各种地形之下；善于攻击者，高度发挥自己的力量，像从天而降，所以能保存自己又获得全胜。
English: If the enemy cannot be overcome, defend. If the enemy can be overcome, attack. If resources are not available and in shortage, defend yourself. And vice versa. Those who are able to defend, is able to use the surrounding to conceal his troops well. Those who are able to attack, is able to attack in ways that is out of common military knowledge. As such he is not only able to ensure greatest self security and protection, he would also be able to achieve complete victories.
From: Sun Zi Art of War Chapter 3
Attacking & Managing Troops
Original: 孙子曰：凡治众如治寡，分数是也；斗众如斗寡，形名是也；三军之众，可使必受敌而无败，奇正是也；兵之所加，如以碫投卵者，虚实是也。
Modern: 孙子说：要管理人数众多的军队如同人数少的军队，是靠军队的组织；要指挥人数众多的军队如同指挥人数少的军队，是靠规定好的信号。统帅全国军队，即使遭受敌人攻击，也不致失败，是因为“奇正”运用正确。军队可以攻击，如同以石击卵，是因为军队避实击虚。
English: Sun Zi said: Managing a large force can be similar to managing a small force. It is a matter of organization and structure. To direct and control a large force can be similar to directing and controlling a small force. It is a matter of communications and formations. The fact that the whole army can withstand enemy attack without conceding defeat is because of apt use of the direct and indirect. The strength of the troops can be increased, like using stones solid stones to hurl at rocks. This is done by avoiding the enemy’s strengths and attacking its weaknesses.
From: Sun Zi Art of War Chapter 5
Attacking & Managing Troops
Original: 凡战者，以正合，以奇胜。故善出奇者，无穷如天地，不竭如江河。终而复始，日月是也。死而复生，四时是也。声不过五，五声之变，不可胜听也。色不过五，五色之变，不可胜观也。味不过五，五味之变，不可胜尝也。战势不过奇正，奇正之变，不可胜穷之也。奇正相生，如环之无端，孰能穷之？
Modern: 大凡作战，是以“正”兵求合，而以“奇”兵求胜。所以善于出奇制胜者，其战法变化如天地运行变化无穷，像江河那样奔流不歇。终而复始，犹如日月的运行；去而又来，好似四季的更迭。乐音不过五个音节，可是五个音节的变化，却听不胜听。颜色不过五种，可是五色的变化，却看不胜看。滋味不过五种，可是五味的变化，却尝不胜尝。作战不过“奇”和“正”，可是“奇”“正”相互的变化，就像圆环旋转那样，无始无终，能穷尽吗？
English: Thus, the person who is adept at using indirect forces, can use it in such infinite ways like the ever-changing forces and elements of nature and the ceaseless flow of water in rivers and streams. Direct and indirect forces are like the end and the beginning and also like the ever changing role of the sun and moon. They (direct and indirect forces) perish and resurrect like the changes of the four seasons. There are only five basic notes but their combinations and permutation can create many musical scores that one is not possible to hear all of them. There are only the five basic colors, but their mixes and matches produce so many visuals that one is not possible to view all of them. There are only five basic flavors, but their mixtures and blends produce so many tastes that one is not possible to taste all of them. In war, there are only the direct and indirect forces. However the combinations and changes between the two are infinite. Their interactions and combinations are like two never-ending, interlocking rings where possibilities of its beginning and endings cannot be determined.
From: Sun Zi Art of War Chapter 5
Momentum & Timing
Original: 激水之疾，至于漂石者，势也；鸷鸟之疾，至于毁拆者，节也。是故善战者，其势险，其节短。势如张弩，节如发机。
Modern: 川急的流水飞快的奔泻，以至能把石头漂动，那是因为水势强大的关系。凶猛的飞鸟飞快的突击，以至能捕杀猎物，那是因为节奏恰当的关系。所以善于指挥作战者，他所制造的态势险峻，发出的节奏短促。险峻的态势犹如张满的弓弩，短促的节奏犹如击发弩机。
English: When the gushing torrential water tosses stones pushing boulders, it is because of the force of its momentum. When the ferocious strike of an eagle, breaks the body of its prey, it is because of the timing of the strike. Thus the forces and momentum of the adept in warfare are so overwhelming and ferocious and his timing of engagement is precise and swift. His stance is like a fully stretched bow and the timing is like the release of the trigger.
From: Sun Zi Art of War Chapter 5
Control of Army
Original: 纷纷纭纭，斗乱而不可乱也。浑浑沌沌，形圆而不可败也。
Modern: 旌旗纷纷，人马纭纭，在混乱的状态下作战，须使自己的军队不发生混乱。战车转动，步卒奔驰，在迷蒙不清的情况下，必须把军队部署得四面八方都能应付自如。
English: In the midst of disorders and turmoil in war, while the troops have to fight under chaotic situations, they must remain orderly and in control. In the midst of confusion and chaos in fighting, one must still be able to marshal the troops from all directions and deploy them such that they cannot be defeated.
From: Sun Zi Art of War Chapter 5
How to Deal with Enemy
Original: 故敌佚而能劳之，饱能饥之，安能动之。出其所不趋，趋其所不意。
Modern: 当敌人安逸时，使他们疲劳。当敌人饱食时，使他们饥饿。当敌人扎营安定时，使他们移动。出动于敌人必救之地，活动于敌人意想不到之地。
English: Thus when the enemy is well-rested, disturb and tire him. When the enemy is well stocked with food, starve him. When he is encamped and comfortable, move him. Attack where he needs to rush to defend. Move quickly along routes where the enemy least expects.
From: Sun Zi Art of War Chapter 6
Attack & Defence
Original: 行千里而不劳者，行于无人之地也。攻而必取者，攻其所不守也。守而必固者，守其所不攻也。故善攻者，敌不知其所守。善守者，敌不知其所攻。微乎微乎，至于无形，神乎神乎，至于无声，故能为敌之司命。
Modern: 行军千里而不觉疲劳，是因为行于无敌人阻碍之地。攻打敌人而必取，是因为攻击敌人不能守的地方。防守能稳固，是因为防守让到敌人不知如何攻击。所以，善于攻者，让敌人不知如何防守。善于守者，让敌人不知如何攻击。微妙啊微妙，微妙到无形可见；神奇啊神奇啊，神奇到无声可闻。所以这样的人可成为敌人的主宰。
English: An army can travel for a thousand miles without being exhausted because it moves along places where there are no enemies. To be certain to capture what you attack is to attack a place where the enemy does not defend or where his defence is weak. To be certain to hold on to what you defend is to defend a place such that the enemy does not have the courage to attack or where the defence is made invulnerable to attacks. Thus, the person who is adept at offence, attack places where the enemy does not know how to defend. The person adept at defence protects places such that the enemy has no idea how to attack. Such is the intricacy, and subtlety of expert in warfare that he appears to be invisible without trace. Such is the mystery and myth of the expert in warfare that he is not heard or detected.
From: Sun Zi Art of War Chapter 6
Attack Without Resistance, Retreat Without Being Attacked
Original: 进而不可御者，冲其虚也；退而不可追者，速而不可及也。
Modern: 前进而不受到抵御，是因为攻击其防守薄弱之处；撤退而不受敌人阻止，是因为迅速撤退到远处，使敌人赶不上。
English: He is able to advance without resistance because he accelerates along areas that are not defended by the enemy. He is able to retreat without being pursued because he withdraws at a much faster speed than the enemy.
From: Sun Zi Art of War Chapter 6
How to Engage or Disengage the Enemy
Original: 故我欲战，敌虽高垒深沟，不得不与我战者，攻其所必救也；我不欲战，虽画地而守之，敌不得与我战者，乖其所之也。
Modern: 所以如果我想打，敌人虽然有高垒深沟，也不得不与我战，因为我进攻敌人必定会救援的地方；如果我不想作战，即使画地界而防守，敌方也不会与我作战，因为我已把他引向别处或阻止他抵达目的地。
English: Thus when I desire to go into battle, even if the enemy is behind high walls and deep moats, he will have no choice but to engage me. Because I attack where he needs to rescue or protect. When I do not desire to go into battle, even though I may be occupying any ground and not erecting any form of defence, the enemy will still be unable to start a battle with me. This is because I contradict the normal rules of engagement and prevent him from reaching his desired destination.
From: Sun Zi Art of War Chapter 6
How Attack & Defence can Affect Strength
Original: 寡者，备人者也；众者，使人备己者也。
Modern: 劣势，是居于防守的一方；优势，是居于攻击的一方。
English: The inferiority or weakness in numbers is normally associated with the defending side.The superiority or strength in numbers is associated with the attacking side.
From: Sun Zi Art of War Chapter 6
Knowing the BattleGround & Engagement Time
Original: 故知战之地，知战之日，则可千里而会战。不知战之地，不知战之日，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？
Modern: 预先知道作战地点和时间，才能千里行军而又可交战。不预先知道作战地点和时间，则左翼不能救右翼，右翼不能救左翼，前方不能救后方，后方不能救前方，更何况是远在数十里，或近在数里？
English: If you know the terrain of the battleground and the exact date of engagement of battle, your army can travel a thousand mile and still be ready for battle. If you do not know the location of the battleground and the exact date of engagement, then your left flank will not be able to rescue your right flank, and the right flank will not be able to rescue your left flank. The front will not be able to rescue the rear and the rear will not be able to rescue the front. This problem is compounded even more considering that the farthest force may be ten miles away or the nearer force only several miles apart.
From: Sun Zi Art of War Chapter 6
Flexibility in Formation
Original: 故形兵之极，至于无形；无形，则深间不能窥，智者不能谋。因形而错胜于众，众不能知；人皆知我所以胜之形，而莫知吾所以制胜之形；
Modern: 所以部署兵队最高境界，是无任何形。无形，则深入我方的间谍刺探不到情报，敌方谋略者也想不出对策。运用多变战术引导众人取得胜利，众人也不了解如何取胜。人们知道我取得胜利的态势，可是不知我如何创造此态势。
English: The ultimate skill in the deployment of troops is to ensure that it has no fixed or constant formation and disposition. Without ascertainable formations, even the most infiltrated and observant spy will not be able to probe and comprehend, and the wisest strategist will not be able to uncover your plans or plot against you. The victory gained as a result of adapting to the circumstances of the enemy will never be understood by the troops. Everyone may know the formation that I used to secure victory. However, no one will know the ways, methods and reasons behind how I went about creating that victory.
From: Sun Zi Art of War Chapter 6
Flexible like Water
Original: 故其战胜不复，而应形于无穷。夫兵形像水，水之形，避高而趋下；兵之形，避实而击虚。水因地而制流，兵因敌而制胜。 故兵无常势，水无常形；能因敌变化而取胜者，谓之神。故五行无常胜，四时无常位，日有长短，月有生死。
Modern: 所以作战胜利都不是重复旧方式，而是适应不同的态势而不变化无穷。兵力的部署应该像流水，水的流向从高向低，进攻敌人应该避开敌人坚实之处，而趋向薄弱之处。流水的方向是由地势决定，军队作战也应该根据不同敌人而决定制胜策略。所以军队作战没有固定的态势，如同水也没有固定的形状。能够根据敌人的变化而取得胜利者，可称之为“神”。所以五行相生相克，没有固定常胜，四季变化也没有固定的开始与结束，白昼有长短，月亮有圆缺。
English: Therefore, the victory gained from each battle comes about because strategies and tactics are never repeated. Rather, they should vary according to the circumstances, with infinite possibilities. The principle underlying military deployment may be likened to water. It is the inherent characteristic of flowing water to flow from high places and hasten its movement low places. In the same way, the disposition and deployment of an army should be to avoid strengths and attack weaknesses. Just as water controls its flow according to the characteristics of the terrain, and army should try to create its victory according to the situations of the enemy. So, in conduct of war, there are no fixed situations and condition, just like water has no constant shape and configuration. The persons who gains victories by adapting to the changing conditions and situations of the enemy can be considered a legend in warfare. Thus there is no guaranteed victory among the five elements of nature. There is no permanency for each of the four seasons. There are days which are short and days which are long. There are changes in the shape of the moon throughout a month.
From: Sun Zi Art of War Chapter 6