XI. The Nine Situations

孙子曰：用兵之法，有散地，有轻地，有争地，有交地，有衢地，有重地，有泛地，有围地，有

死地。

Sun Tzu said: The art of war recognizes nine varieties of ground: (1) Dispersive ground; (2) facile ground; (3) contentious ground; (4) open ground; (5) ground of intersecting highways; (6) serious ground; (7) difficult ground; (8) hemmed-in ground; (9) desperate ground.

诸侯自战其地者，为散地；

When a chieftain is fighting in his own territory, it is dispersive ground.

入人之地不深者，为轻地；

When he has penetrated into hostile territory, but to no great distance, it is facile ground.

我得亦利，彼得亦利者，为争地；

Ground the possession of which imports great advantage to either side, is contentious ground.

我可以往，彼可以来者，为交地；

Ground on which each side has liberty of movement is open ground.

诸侯之地三属，先至而得天下众者，为衢地；

Ground which forms the key to three contiguous states, so that he who occupies it first has most of the Empire at his command, is a ground of intersecting highways.

入人之地深，背城邑多者，为重地；

When an army has penetrated into the heart of a hostile country, leaving a number of fortified cities in its rear, it is serious ground.

山林、险阻、沮泽，凡难行之道者，为泛地；

Mountain forests, rugged steeps, marshes and fens–all country that is hard to traverse: this is difficult ground.

所由入者隘，所从归者迂，彼寡可以击吾之众者，为围地；

Ground which is reached through narrow gorges, and from which we can only retire by tortuous paths, so that a small number of the enemy would suffice to crush a large body of our men: this is hemmed in ground.

疾战则存，不疾战则亡者，为死地。

Ground on which we can only be saved from destruction by fighting without delay, is desperate ground.

是故散地则无战，轻地则无止，争地则无攻，

On dispersive ground, therefore, fight not. On facile ground, halt not. On contentious ground, attack not.

交地则无绝，衢地则合交，

On open ground, do not try to block the enemy’s way. On the ground of intersecting highways, join hands with your allies.

重地则掠，泛地则行，

On serious ground, gather in plunder. In difficult ground, keep steadily on the march.

围地则谋，死地则战。

On hemmed-in ground, resort to stratagem. On desperate ground, fight.

古之善用兵者，能使敌人前后不相及，众寡不相恃，贵贱不相救，上下不相收，

Those who were called skillful leaders of old knew how to drive a wedge between the enemy’s front and rear; to prevent co-operation between his large and small divisions; to hinder the good troops from rescuing the bad, the officers from rallying their men.

卒离而不集，兵合而不齐。

When the enemy’s men were united, they managed to keep them in disorder.

合于利而动，不合于利而止。

When it was to their advantage, they made a forward move; when otherwise, they stopped still.

敢问敌众而整将来，待之若何曰：先夺其所爱则听矣。

If asked how to cope with a great host of the enemy in orderly array and on the point of marching to the attack, I should say: “Begin by seizing something which your opponent holds dear; then he will be amenable to your will.”

兵之情主速，乘人之不及。由不虞之道，攻其所不戒也。

Rapidity is the essence of war: take advantage of the enemy’s unreadiness, make your way by unexpected routes, and attack unguarded spots.

凡为客之道，深入则专。主人不克，

The following are the principles to be observed by an invading force: The further you penetrate into a country, the greater will be the solidarity of your troops, and thus the defenders will not prevail against you.

掠于饶野，三军足食。

Make forays in fertile country in order to supply your army with food.

谨养而勿劳，并气积力，运兵计谋，为不可测。

Carefully study the well-being of your men, and do not overtax them. Concentrate your energy and hoard your strength. Keep your army continually on the move, and devise unfathomable plans.

投之无所往，死且不北。死焉不得，士人尽力。

Throw your soldiers into positions whence there is no escape, and they will prefer death to flight. If they will face death, there is nothing they may not achieve. Officers and men alike will put forth their uttermost strength.

兵士甚陷则不惧，无所往则固，深入则拘，不得已则斗。

Soldiers when in desperate straits lose the sense of fear. If there is no place of refuge, they will stand firm. If they are in hostile country, they will show a stubborn front. If there is no help for it, they will fight hard.

是故其兵不修而戒，不求而得，不约而亲，不令而信，

Thus, without waiting to be marshaled, the soldiers will be constantly on the qui vive; without waiting to be asked, they will do your will; without restrictions, they will be faithful; without giving orders, they can be trusted.

禁祥去疑，至死无所之。

Prohibit the taking of omens, and do away with superstitious doubts. Then, until death itself comes, no calamity need be feared.

吾士无余财，非恶货也；无余命，非恶寿也。

If our soldiers are not overburdened with money, it is not because they have a distaste for riches; if their lives are not unduly long, it is not because they are disinclined to longevity.

令发之日，士卒坐者涕沾襟，偃卧者涕交颐，投之无所往，诸、刿之勇也。

On the day they are ordered out to battle, your soldiers may weep, those sitting up bedewing their garments, and those lying down letting the tears run down their cheeks. But let them once be brought to bay, and they will display the courage of a Chu or a Kuei.

故善用兵者，譬如率然。率然者，常山之蛇也。击其首则尾至，击其尾则首至，击其中则首尾俱至。

The skillful tactician may be likened to the shuai-jan. Now the shuai-jan is a snake that is found in the ChUng mountains. Strike at its head, and you will be attacked by its tail; strike at its tail, and you will be attacked by its head; strike at its middle, and you will be attacked by head and tail both.

敢问兵可使如率然乎？曰可。夫吴人与越人相恶也，当其同舟而济而遇风，其相救也如左右手。

Asked if an army can be made to imitate the shuai-jan, I should answer, Yes. For the men of Wu and the men of Yueh are enemies; yet if they are crossing a river in the same boat and are caught by a storm, they will come to each other’s assistance just as the left hand helps the right.

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

X. Terrain

孙子曰：地形有通者、有挂者、有支者、有隘者、有险者、有远者。

Sun Tzu said: We may distinguish six kinds of terrain, to wit: (1) Accessible ground; (2) entangling ground; (3) temporizing ground; (4) narrow passes; (5) precipitous heights; (6) positions at a great distance from the enemy.

我可以往，彼可以来，曰通。

Ground which can be freely traversed by both sides is called accessible.

通形者，先居高阳，利粮道，以战则利。

With regard to ground of this nature, be before the enemy in occupying the raised and sunny spots, and carefully guard your line of supplies. Then you will be able to fight with advantage.

可以往，难以返，曰挂。

Ground which can be abandoned but is hard to re-occupy is called entangling.

挂形者，敌无备，出而胜之，敌若有备，出而不胜，难以返，不利。

From a position of this sort, if the enemy is unprepared, you may sally forth and defeat him. But if the enemy is prepared for your coming, and you fail to defeat him, then, return being impossible, disaster will ensue.

我出而不利，彼出而不利，曰支。

When the position is such that neither side will gain by making the first move, it is called temporizing ground.

支形者，敌虽利我，我无出也，引而去之，令敌半出而击之利。

In a position of this sort, even though the enemy should offer us an attractive bait, it will be advisable not to stir forth, but rather to retreat, thus enticing the enemy in his turn; then, when part of his army has come out, we may deliver our attack with advantage.

隘形者，我先居之，必盈之以待敌。

With regard to narrow passes, if you can occupy them first, let them be strongly garrisoned and await the advent of the enemy.

若敌先居之，盈而勿从，不盈而从之。

Should the army forestall you in occupying a pass, do not go after him if the pass is fully garrisoned, but only if it is weakly garrisoned.

险形者，我先居之，必居高阳以待敌；

With regard to precipitous heights, if you are beforehand with your adversary, you should occupy the raised and sunny spots, and there wait for him to come up.

若敌先居之，引而去之，勿从也。

If the enemy has occupied them before you, do not follow him, but retreat and try to entice him away.

远形者，势均难以挑战，战而不利。

If you are situated at a great distance from the enemy, and the strength of the two armies is equal, it is not easy to provoke a battle, and fighting will be to your disadvantage.

凡此六者，地之道也，将之至任，不可不察也。

These six are the principles connected with Earth. The general who has attained a responsible post must be careful to study them.

凡兵有走者、有驰者、有陷者、有崩者、有乱者、有北者。凡此六者，非天地之灾，将之过也。

Now an army is exposed to six several calamities, not arising from natural causes, but from faults for which the general is responsible. These are: (1) Flight; (2) insubordination; (3) collapse; (4) ruin; (5) disorganization; (6) rout.

夫势均，以一击十，曰走；

Other conditions being equal, if one force is hurled against another ten times its size, the result will be the flight of the former.

卒强吏弱，曰驰；吏强卒弱，曰陷；

When the common soldiers are too strong and their officers too weak, the result is insubordination. When the officers are too strong and the common soldiers too weak, the result is collapse.

大吏怒而不服，遇敌怼而自战，将不知其能，曰崩；

When the higher officers are angry and insubordinate, and on meeting the enemy give battle on their own account from a feeling of resentment, before the commander-in-chief can tell whether or no he is in a position to fight, the result is ruin.

将弱不严，教道不明，吏卒无常，陈兵纵横，曰乱；

When the general is weak and without authority; when his orders are not clear and distinct; when there are no fixes duties assigned to officers and men, and the ranks are formed in a slovenly haphazard manner, the result is utter disorganization.

将不能料敌，以少合众，以弱击强，兵无选锋，曰北。

When a general, unable to estimate the enemy’s strength, allows an inferior force to engage a larger one, or hurls a weak detachment against a powerful one, and neglects to place picked soldiers in the front rank, the result must be rout.

凡此六者，败之道也，将之至任，不可不察也。

These are six ways of courting defeat, which must be carefully noted by the general who has attained a responsible post.

夫地形者，兵之助也。料敌制胜，计险隘远近，上将之道也。

The natural formation of the country is the soldier’s best ally; but a power of estimating the adversary, of controlling the forces of victory, and of shrewdly calculating difficulties, dangers and distances, constitutes the test of a great general

知此而用战者必胜，不知此而用战者必败。

He who knows these things, and in fighting puts his knowledge into practice, will win his battles. He who knows them not, nor practices them, will surely be defeated.

故战道必胜，主曰无战，必战可也；战道不胜，主曰必战，无战可也。

If fighting is sure to result in victory, then you must fight, even though the ruler forbid it; if fighting will not result in victory, then you must not fight even at the ruler’s bidding.

故进不求名，退不避罪，唯民是保，而利于主，国之宝也。

The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom.

视卒如婴儿，故可以与之赴深溪；视卒如爱子，故可与之俱死。

Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look upon them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.

厚而不能使，爱而不能令，乱而不能治，譬若骄子，不可用也。

If, however, you are indulgent, but unable to make your authority felt; kind-hearted, but unable to enforce your commands; and incapable, moreover, of quelling disorder: then your soldiers must be likened to spoilt children; they are useless for any practical purpose.

知吾卒之可以击，而不知敌之不可击，胜之半也；

If we know that our own men are in a condition to attack, but are unaware that the enemy is not open to attack, we have gone only halfway towards victory.

知敌之可击，而不知吾卒之不可以击，胜之半也；

If we know that the enemy is open to attack, but are unaware that our own men are not in a condition to attack, we have gone only halfway towards victory.

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。

If we know that the enemy is open to attack, and also know that our men are in a condition to attack, but are unaware that the nature of the ground makes fighting impracticable, we have still gone only halfway towards victory.

故知兵者，动而不迷，举而不穷。

Hence the experienced soldier, once in motion, is never bewildered; once he has broken camp, he is never at a loss.

故曰：知彼知己，胜乃不殆；知天知地，胜乃可全。

Hence the saying: If you know the enemy and know yourself, your victory will not stand in doubt; if you know Heaven and know Earth, you may make your victory complete.

If in the neighborhood of your camp there should be any hilly country, ponds surrounded by aquatic grass, hollow basins filled with reeds, or woods with thick undergrowth, they must be carefully routed out and searched; for these are places where men in ambush or insidious spies are likely to be lurking.

敌近而静者，恃其险也；

When the enemy is close at hand and remains quiet, he is relying on the natural strength of his position.

远而挑战者，欲人之进也；

When he keeps aloof and tries to provoke a battle, he is anxious for the other side to advance.

其所居易者，利也；

If his place of encampment is easy of access, he is tendering a bait.

众树动者，来也；众草多障者，疑也；

Movement amongst the trees of a forest shows that the enemy is advancing. The appearance of a number of screens in the midst of thick grass means that the enemy wants to make us suspicious.

鸟起者，伏也；兽骇者，覆也；

The rising of birds in their flight is the sign of an ambuscade. Startled beasts indicate that a sudden attack is coming.

尘高而锐者，车来也；卑而广者，徒来也；散而条达者，樵采也；少而往来者，营军也；

When there is dust rising in a high column, it is the sign of chariots advancing; when the dust is low, but spread over a wide area, it betokens the approach of infantry. When it branches out in different directions, it shows that parties have been sent to collect firewood. A few clouds of dust moving to and fro signify that the army is encamping.

辞卑而备者，进也；辞强而进驱者，退也；

Humble words and increased preparations are signs that the enemy is about to advance. Violent language and driving forward as if to the attack are signs that he will retreat.

轻车先出居其侧者，陈也；

When the light chariots come out first and take up a position on the wings, it is a sign that the enemy is forming for battle.

无约而请和者，谋也；

Peace proposals unaccompanied by a sworn covenant indicate a plot.

奔走而陈兵者，期也；

When there is much running about and the soldiers fall into rank, it means that the critical moment has come.

半进半退者，诱也；

When some are seen advancing and some retreating, it is a lure.

杖而立者，饥也；

When the soldiers stand leaning on their spears, they are faint from want of food.

汲而先饮者，渴也；

If those who are sent to draw water begin by drinking themselves, the army is suffering from thirst.

见利而不进者，劳也；

If the enemy sees an advantage to be gained and makes no effort to secure it, the soldiers are exhausted.

鸟集者，虚也；夜呼者，恐也；

If birds gather on any spot, it is unoccupied. Clamor by night betokens nervousness.

军扰者，将不重也；旌旗动者，乱也；吏怒者，倦也；

If there is disturbance in the camp, the general’s authority is weak. If the banners and flags are shifted about, sedition is afoot. If the officers are angry, it means that the men are weary.

杀马肉食者，军无粮也；悬□②不返其舍者，穷寇也；

When an army feeds its horses with grain and kills its cattle for food, and when the men do not hang their cooking-pots over the camp-fires, showing that they will not return to their tents, you may know that they are determined to fight to the death.

谆谆□③□③，徐与人言者，失众也；

The sight of men whispering together in small knots or speaking in subdued tones points to disaffection amongst the rank and file.

数赏者，窘也；数罚者，困也；

Too frequent rewards signify that the enemy is at the end of his resources; too many punishments betray a condition of dire distress.

先暴而后畏其众者，不精之至也；

To begin by bluster, but afterwards to take fright at the enemy’s numbers, shows a supreme lack of intelligence.

来委谢者，欲休息也。

When envoys are sent with compliments in their mouths, it is a sign that the enemy wishes for a truce.

兵怒而相迎，久而不合，又不相去，必谨察之。

If the enemy’s troops march up angrily and remain facing ours for a long time without either joining battle or taking themselves off again, the situation is one that demands great vigilance and circumspection.

兵非贵益多也，惟无武进，足以并力料敌取人而已。

If our troops are no more in number than the enemy, that is amply sufficient; it only means that no direct attack can be made. What we can do is simply to concentrate all our available strength, keep a close watch on the enemy, and obtain reinforcements.

夫惟无虑而易敌者，必擒于人。

He who exercises no forethought but makes light of his opponents is sure to be captured by them.

卒未亲而罚之，则不服，不服则难用。卒已亲附而罚不行，则不可用。

If soldiers are punished before they have grown attached to you, they will not prove submissive; and, unless submissive, then will be practically useless. If, when the soldiers have become attached to you, punishments are not enforced, they will still be unless.

故合之以文，齐之以武，是谓必取。

Therefore soldiers must be treated in the first instance with humanity, but kept under control by means of iron discipline. This is a certain road to victory.

令素行以教其民，则民服；令素不行以教其民，则民不服。

If in training soldiers commands are habitually enforced, the army will be well-disciplined; if not, its discipline will be bad.

令素行者，与众相得也。

If a general shows confidence in his men but always insists on his orders being obeyed, the gain will be mutual.

【注：】①：“翳”加“艹”头。②：［垂瓦］。③：［讠翕］。

IX. The Army on the March

孙子曰：凡处军相敌，绝山依谷，

Sun Tzu said: We come now to the question of encamping the army, and observing signs of the enemy. Pass quickly over mountains, and keep in the neighborhood of valleys.

视生处高，战隆无登，此处山之军也。

Camp in high places, facing the sun. Do not climb heights in order to fight. So much for mountain warfare.

绝水必远水，

After crossing a river, you should get far away from it.

客绝水而来，勿迎之于水内，令半渡而击之利，

When an invading force crosses a river in its onward march, do not advance to meet it in mid-stream. It will be best to let half the army get across, and then deliver your attack.

欲战者，无附于水而迎客，

If you are anxious to fight, you should not go to meet the invader near a river which he has to cross.

视生处高，无迎水流，此处水上之军也。

Moor your craft higher up than the enemy, and facing the sun. Do not move up-stream to meet the enemy. So much for river warfare.

绝斥泽，唯亟去无留，

In crossing salt-marshes, your sole concern should be to get over them quickly, without any delay.

若交军于斥泽之中，必依水草而背众树，此处斥泽之军也。

If forced to fight in a salt-marsh, you should have water and grass near you, and get your back to a clump of trees. So much for operations in salt-marches.

平陆处易，右背高，前死后生，此处平陆之军也。

In dry, level country, take up an easily accessible position with rising ground to your right and on your rear, so that the danger may be in front, and safety lie behind. So much for campaigning in flat country.

凡此四军之利，黄帝之所以胜四帝也。

These are the four useful branches of military knowledge which enabled the Yellow Emperor to vanquish four several sovereigns.

凡军好高而恶下，贵阳而贱阴，

All armies prefer high ground to low and sunny places to dark.

养生而处实，军无百疾，是谓必胜。

If you are careful of your men, and camp on hard ground, the army will be free from disease of every kind, and this will spell victory.

丘陵堤防，必处其阳而右背之，此兵之利，地之助也。

When you come to a hill or a bank, occupy the sunny side, with the slope on your right rear. Thus you will at once act for the benefit of your soldiers and utilize the natural advantages of the ground.

上雨水流至，欲涉者，待其定也。

When, in consequence of heavy rains up-country, a river which you wish to ford is swollen and flecked with foam, you must wait until it subsides.

凡地有绝涧、天井、天牢、天罗、天陷、天隙，必亟去之，勿近也。

Country in which there are precipitous cliffs with torrents running between, deep natural hollows, confined places, tangled thickets, quagmires and crevasses, should be left with all possible speed and not approached.

吾远之，敌近之；吾迎之，敌背之。

While we keep away from such places, we should get the enemy to approach them; while we face them, we should let the enemy have them on his rear.

军旁有险阻、潢井、蒹葭、小林、□①荟者，必谨覆索之，此伏奸之所处也。