地形第十 X. Terrain
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.
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