Terrain & Victory-Sun Zi

From World's Chinese Wiki

Terrain & Victory by Sun Zi

English: If I know that my troops are capable of attacking the enemy, but do not know that the enemy cannot be attacked, then the chance of victory is half. If the enemy is vulnerable to attack, but I am unaware that my troops are incapable of the task, the chance of victory is only half. In war, I may know that the enemy is vulnerable to attack and my troops are capable of attacking. But, if I do not know that the terrain is not favourable for the conduct of such assault, then the chance of victory is half.

Modern: 只了解我军能打，而不了解敌军不可以打，胜利的可能性只有一半；了解敌军可打，而不了解我军不能打，胜利的可能性也只有一半；了解敌军可打，也了解我军能打，而不了解地形不利于作战，胜利的可能性仍然只有一半。

Original: 知吾卒之可以击，而不知敌之不可击，胜之半也；知敌之可击，而不知吾卒之不可以击，胜之半也；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。

Business Application:

From: Sun Zi Art of War Chapter 10