夫兵形象水，水之行避高而趋下，
Military tactics are like unto water; for water in its natural course runs away from high places and hastens downwards.

兵之形避实而击虚；
So in war, the way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak.

水因地而制流，兵因敌而制胜。
Water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows; the soldier works out his victory in relation to the foe whom he is facing.

故兵无常势，水无常形。
Therefore, just as water retains no constant shape, so in warfare there are no constant conditions.

能因敌变化而取胜者，谓之神。
He who can modify his tactics in relation to his opponent and thereby succeed in winning, may be called a heaven-born captain.

故五行无常胜，四时无常位，日有短长，月有死生。
The five elements (water, fire, wood, metal, earth) are not always equally predominant; the four seasons make way for each other in turn. There are short days and long; the moon has its periods of waning and waxing.