《孙子兵法》汉英对照

《孙子兵法》汉英对照

The Art of War

孙武 著 宋德利 译



楔子





2008年秋季，《论语》英文译稿完成后，在北美《文学城》我的博客里发表，引起网友的热情支持。有一位网友还给我寄了一本英文版《孙子兵法》，希望我也做一个英译本。但由于繁忙，没有动笔。2010年6月份，《论语》英译稿与中国外经贸大学出版社签署出版合同。下一步要翻译哪一本呢？《孙子兵法》便列入我的翻译日程。2010年7月2日动笔，一早一晚地加紧翻译，非常巧合，到8月2日早晨截稿，前后历时不多不少整整一个月。

提起《孙子兵法》，说来话长，早在大学毕业分配入伍，在军政大学从事教学翻译工作时就初步接触到了《孙子兵法》。现在依然十分清楚地记得，我是在办公室里整理旧书时，首次发现了著名军事理论家和军事教育家郭化若将军的注释本《孙子兵法》。当时的教材只是毛泽东军事著作，不包括《孙子兵法》，但在课堂理论教学和野外战略战术操练中，通过讲解和翻译毛泽东军事思想，也无意中学习和运用了诸如“知己知彼，百战不殆”等孙子军事思想。也正是因为如此，才对《孙子兵法》并不陌生。

《孙子兵法》是中国古典军事文化遗产中的璀璨瑰宝，堪称兵家圣经，由春秋末年著名军事家孙武所著，共十三篇，包括计篇、作战篇、谋攻篇、形篇、兵势篇、虚实篇、.军争篇、九变篇、行军篇、地形篇、九地篇、火攻篇、用间篇。 《孙子兵法》是中国古代最伟大的军事理论著作，通过深刻总结，精辟分析春秋时期各诸侯国逐鹿中原的战例和经验，集中概括出战略战术的一般规律。《孙子兵法》虽然成书于2500年前，但却具有其长久适用的道理，它所阐述的谋略思想和哲学思想，至今已被广泛地运用于军事、政治、经济等各个领域中。

《孙子兵法》也是中国古籍在世界上影响最大、最广泛的著作之一。翻译版本由来已久，精彩纷呈。早在唐朝（公元618- 906）时期，孙子的军事著作就已介绍到日本。1772年开始传入西方国家。最早的是法国人Jesuit Fr. P. Amiot 直接从中文翻译成法文，据说很受拿破仑的赏识。1800年代初期，《孙子兵法》的俄译本开始在俄罗斯出现，最著名的是N.Konrad的版本。1905年英国的E. F. Calthrop上尉从日语本翻译成英文本，书名叫The Art of Strategy. 随后不久，大英博物馆东方书籍文稿管理员Lionel Giles直接从中文翻译成英文，书名为The Art of War，于1910年出版，随后不断再版。直到1983年再版时还附加了美国作家James Clavell的评注。1910年开始由von Bruno Navarra翻译成德文。1956年J.I. Siderenko的俄汉对照本由苏联军事出版社出版。1963年，退休的美国海军陆战队准将SumuelB. Griffith将军的译本The Art of War于1963年出版。而当下流行的则有两个版本，即Cheng Lin的The Art of War和Tang Zi-Chang的Principles of Conflict. 除译本之外，注释本也是由来有自，呈现出一派百花齐放，百家争鸣的局面。

笔者不才，但由于种种原因，却总是技痒难耐，跃跃欲试。今夏终于在异国他乡实现了自己的夙愿。笔者的译本只是对《孙子兵法》原著的一次学习和翻译实践，希望和《孙子兵法》的爱好者，英语爱好者，尤其是翻译爱好者分享自己的体会。有鉴于此，编辑体例便为原文、注释、白话、英译四合一。尤其是注释部分，不仅有汉语解释，还有英文解释。此外，为了多给读者提供一些英语知识，笔者还有意适当拓宽注释范围，添加一些与主要注释相关的汉英例词例句。

需要说明的是，《孙子兵法》博大精深，对其中的一些概念或词句的理解历来仁者见仁，智者见智。尤其是对一些概念词句的翻译，在选词造句上，更是灵活多样。比如对于“用兵”一词的理解，有人认为是“领兵打仗”，有人认为是“运用兵法”，如果照字面翻译，前者可以是deploy forces to wage a war; 如果是后者则可以是execute the art of war. 而“兵法”，有人翻译成art of war, 有人则翻译成strategy. 又比如“战斗”，可以翻译成fight, 也可翻译成conflict. 还比如，“敌人”，既可以翻译成enemy, 也可翻译成opponent. “兵”既可以翻译成forces, 也可翻译成troops或 corps等。“将帅”，既可翻译成general,也可翻译成commander, 当然还可以翻译得抽象一点leader. “攻击”既可翻译成attack, 也可翻译成challenge.

此外，为避免把原文切割得支离破碎，注释的编号不在原文中显示，比如：“兵者”一词，对“兵”加注释时，按传统方法会写成“兵（1）者”。如此一来，短短的一行字里会出现多个注释括号，原文被切割得七零八落，有碍读者赏读原文。好在本书的翻译体例是按段分别翻译，而一般来讲，这些段落都比较短小，比较直观，便于对照，故而采取这种方式。



2010年8月2日晨纽约





始计第一

Chapter One: The Calculations



1． 孙子曰： 兵者，国之大事，死生之地，存亡之道，不可不察也。



《注释》

1．计：比较、分析。可译成examine, analyze, calculate等。

2．兵：此处不是指soldier, troops “士兵”，也不是指weapon “兵器”，而是指military affairs“军事”或war, warfare“战事、战争”。这里采用后者，即战争war。但此后文中将随情况而采用soldier, troop等。至于书名“兵法”，译法也不尽相同，除译者采用的the Art of War之外，也有人译成the Art of Strategy.

3．国：指当时的诸侯国。可以翻译成state。

4．地：从文辞字义逻辑说，战争不是具体地方，而是某种状况、环境。因此翻译成situation，而不是place等表示处所的词。

5．道：翻译成英文比较复杂。有人根据中文字面意思直译为way道路，有的则采取汉语拼音. 老子的《道德经》中的“道”也有这两种译法。但老子的“道”与本文的“道”所指显然不同。鉴于“道”的含义所指复杂而广泛，不是哪一个英文单词就能轻易解决的，译者则采取了汉语拼音法。但又不是现实中标准普通话的注音Dao，而是现在流行的传统译音Tao. 此外，看这里的“道”，其实是“手段”的意思，表示战争是决定国家存亡的手段。

6．察：体察，即体验和考察。此处主要指对战事慎重而周密地考察研究。可英译为study.





《白话》

孙子说：打仗，是国家头等大事，关系到民众生死和国家存亡，一定要慎重体察。



《英译》

Sun Tzu said: War is the greatest work of a state. It is the situation of life or death and the Tao of survival or extinction. Therefore, its study mustn’t be neglected.



2. 故经之以五事，校之以七计，而索其情：一曰道，二曰天，三曰地，四曰将，五曰法



《注释》

1. 经：量度，即分析、衡量， 可译作weigh, calculate等。

2. 事：此处指基本内容，基本因素，方面，点等。译者选用了 fundamental.

3．校：校正、修正。是说用“七计”修正战争策略等，译者选译成rectify.

4．计：此处按“方面”理解即可，aspect, point.

5．天：这里不是说“天空”，而是指“大自然”，因此直译为sky 或heaven是不妥的，翻译成nature比较恰当，也可大写Nature.

6．地：同样，这里也不是指与天空相对的地面，而是指作战的位置，因此不能直译为earth或ground，可采用某些外国译者的译法situation比较恰当。

7．将：读“匠”，军事名词。这个词的含义很广，包括：将军general；统兵者commander in chief; 将官general, admiral （指海军将官）; 将领high-ranking military officer, general; 将士officers and soldiers, officers and men. 此外，有时其实就是泛指领导人leader, 译者在本文中将视情况而选择。

8．法：作战方法、作战技巧，作战艺术，故而译作art, 当然还可译作skill， 但是根据字面直译作way方法，似乎有些牵强死板。



《白话》

通过五个方面的权衡，用七个方面来校正，以求得实情。一是道，二是天，三是地，四是将，五是法。



《英译》

It’s very important to weigh it with five fundamentals, rectify it with seven points and study its actual condition. The first is Tao; the second is nature; the third is situation; the forth is leader; the fifth is art.



3．道者，令民于上同意，可与之死，可与之生，而不畏危也。天者，阴阳、寒暑、时制也。地者，高下，远近、险易、广狭、死生也。将者，智、信、仁、勇、严也。法者，曲制、官道、主用也。凡此五者，将莫不闻，知之者胜，不知之者不胜。



《注释》

1. 时制：时令system of time.

2. 法：依照上文，做“兵法”解，即art.

3. 曲制：编制institution and system.

4. 官道：权责分配power and responsibility.

5. 主用：资金物源funds and resources.



《白话》

道，指上下一致，可同生共死，不惧艰险；天，指昼夜寒暑、时令更迭；地，指地势高低、路途远近、地形险峻或平坦、开阔或狭窄，有利生存或易致灭亡；将，指睿智，诚信，仁爱，勇敢，严格；法，指组织机制，责权划分，资金物流。对这五点，上级应该没有不知道的，知则胜，不知则败。



《英译》

The Tao inspires the whole army to share identical views and live or die together defying hardship and danger. The nature is about day or night, cold or hot and the system of time. The situation includes high or low, far or near, obstructed or easy, broad or narrow, the chances of life or death. The general is something about intelligence, credibility, humanity, courage and discipline. The art is about institutions and systems, power and responsibilities, funds and resources. About these five points, leaders should have nothing which they don’t know. If they know, they will win or they will be defeated.



4.故校之以七计，而索其情。曰：主孰有道？将孰有能？天地孰得？法令孰行？兵众孰强？士卒孰练？赏罚孰明？吾以此知胜负矣。



《注释》



1. 主：指一国之君，译法很多，如master, sovereign, lord, king等等，不一而足。但文中所指的只是诸侯国，不够正式国家的级别。英文虽然也按照“国家”的含义翻译成state，但这个“一国之主”并非现今的总统president，亦非整个王国之首king。这些所谓的主，与封建领主lord类似。译者在此选用lord指代“主”。当然lord一词意思很多。有时也指君主，如our sovereign lord the King英国等国对封建君主的称呼，即“国王陛下”。另外，View也可作“主”解释，但还可指Jesus耶稣的尊称“主”。

2. 知：知道，预测，know, infer.



《白话》

因此，通过对上述各点加以比较，得知实际情况：哪位君主英明？哪位将领有才？哪方地势优越？哪方法令行得通？哪方兵力强大？哪方士兵训练有素？哪方赏罚分明？我通过这些就知胜负。



《英译》

Therefore to weigh it with five fundamentals, rectify it with seven points and study its actual condition. Say to me: Which lord has the Tao? Which general has ability? Who has an advantage in nature and situation? Whose orders are workable? Who enjoys superiority in military strength? Who possesses skillful soldiers? Who is strict and impartial in meting out rewards and punishments? According to these, I can infer who will win or lose.



5. 将听吾计，用之必胜，留之；将不听吾计，用之必败，去之。计利以听，乃为之势，以佐其外。势者，因利而制权也。



《注释》

1. 计：良策，wise strategic decisions.

2. 势：事物发展的自然进程，course of development.

3. 权：主动权，initiative.



《白话》

将领对我言听计从，任用必胜，那就留下；否则，任用必败，那就辞退；听从英明决策，就会造就一种态势，从外部发挥协助作用。势，就是因势利导，掌握主动权。



《英译》

Generals who heed my strategic decisions can definitely win so long as you employ them. Then retain them. Generals who do not heed my strategic decisions can definitely lose if you employ them. Then remove them. Carrying out wise strategic decisions can make a favorable course of development which can reinforce you outwardly. The course of development asks you to guide what you do along it so as to gain the initiative.



6. 兵者，诡道也。故能而示之不能，用而示之不用，近而示之远，远而示之近。利而诱之，乱而取之，实而备之，强而避之，怒而挠之，卑而骄之，佚而劳之，亲而离之，攻其无备，出其不意。此兵家之胜，不可先传也。



《注释》

1.诡：俗称“狡诈”deceitful. 理论化的说法，就是指与通常见解相反的论点，即反论paradox.

2. 挠：撩拨provoke.



《白话》

军事，讲究的就是诡诈。有能力假装无能，要使用假装不用，攻近假装攻远，攻远假装攻近。对方贪利就以利诱惑，对方乱就趁机攻打，对方强就加以防备，对方怒就激火，对方自卑就对其傲慢，对方体力充沛，就使其劳累，对方亲密无间，就挑拨离间，攻打对方没有防备之处，而且要出乎对方意料。这是军事家获胜的秘诀，不可事先泄露。



《英译》

War depends on the paradox of Tao. Therefore, appear unable though able; appear not to use when use; show attacking distantly though attack closely; show attacking closely though attack distantly. So, lure opponents through advantages when they are greedy; attack them when they are in disorder; guard against them when they are strong; provoke them to anger when they are filled with fury; look down upon them when they feel themselves inferior; make them tired out when they are full of vim and vigor; sow discord among them when they are near and dear; attack them when are unprepared; appear suddenly where they are least expected. These are the secrets for strategists to triumph. They must not be disclosed beforehand.



7. 夫未战而庙算胜者，得算多也；未战而庙算不胜者，得算少也。多算胜，少算不胜，而况于无算乎！吾以此观之，胜负见矣。



《注释》

1. 庙算：预期、预计anticipate, foresee, predict.

2. 得算: 获胜to triumph.



《白话》

战事未开，预计获胜，获胜条件就多；战事未开，预计不胜，获胜条件就少。获胜条件多就能获胜，获胜条件少则不能获胜，何况没有获胜条件呢？我从这些情况观察，就可以预见胜负。



《英译》

Before opening fire, those who anticipate results to win have more conditions to triumph; before opening fire, those who anticipate results to lose have fewer conditions to triumph. Those who have more opportunities to triumph can win while those who have fewer conditions to triumph will lose. Let alone have no conditions! Calculating on the basis, I could see victory or defeat.





作战第二

Chapter Two: The Challenge





1. 孙子曰： 凡用兵之法，驰车千驷，革车千乘，带甲十万，千里馈粮，则内外之费，宾客之用，胶漆之材，车甲之奉，日费千金，然后十万之师举矣。



《注释》

1. 驰车：古时候战车都是四匹马拉，因此这些车英文说法都是four-horse vehicle. 驰车就是轻车，而轻车就是跑的很快的车，因此不妨翻译成swift four-horse vehicle.

2. 驷：同拉一辆车的四匹马。

3. 革车：重车。而重车的“重”就是指装甲车。甲，指盔甲，英文是armor，因而“重车”就是 armored vehicle.

4. 馈粮：运送粮食。馈：本意是赠送。此处引申运送 transport.

5. 内外：里里外外，不必拘泥于字面的里与外。俗话说：里里外外一把手，就是说处理日常事务很棒。这里的内外其实就是日常的意思。Routine, daily 就是两种翻译选择。

6．十万之师：此处的“师”指军队。一支部队，可以说a corps 或an army. 包括多少人则用多少strong，如an army of a million strong百万大军。有时也可以省略strong, 因此“十万之师”也可译成a corps of a hundred thousand.



《白话》

孙子说：总体军事原则是，轻车千辆，重车千辆，武装士兵十万，千里运粮，日常开支，待客开销，胶漆之类物资，战车盔甲的供应，每天耗费千金，备好这些然后十万大军队才可行动。



《英译》

Sun Tzu said: Generally, the artful strategy must be supported with a good preparation including 1,000 swift four-horse vehicles, 1,000 armored four-horse vehicles, 100,000 armed troops, provisions transported from 1,000 miles away, daily expenses, further expenditure for visitors, construction materials such as resin and varnish, supply for armors and four-horse vehicles. According to the above mentioned, 1,000 pieces of gold will be spent everyday. And it is only after having all these fully prepared that an army of 100,000 strong can be raised.





2. 其用战也胜，久则钝兵挫锐，攻城则力屈，久暴师则国用不足。夫钝兵挫锐，屈力殚货，则诸侯乘其弊而起，虽有智者不能善其后矣。故兵闻拙速，未睹巧之久也。夫兵久而国利者，未之有也。故不尽知用兵之害者，则不能尽知用兵之利也。



《注释》

1．战：战斗，打仗。可根据具体情况而译成war, fight, battle, attack, challenge等。

2．胜：win, victory, triumph（名词、动词），可视情况而选择。另外，此处指“速胜”而言。

3．钝兵：战略战术就会呆板失去活力. The strategy will become dull.

4．挫锐：部队的锐气受挫。锐气，vigor, dashing spirit. 挫，dampen. 因此“挫锐”可以译成dampen vigor. 还可译成take off the edge off the dashing spirit, 如：挫折敌人的锐气：take the edge off the spirit of the enemy forces或deflate the enemy’s arrogance.

5．屈力：力量不足。

6．殚货：物资匮乏。殚：读“单”。用尽的意思。

7．夫钝兵挫锐，屈力殚货：因为与之前句子重复，照翻译成英文就是显得累赘，译者采取省略的译法，一笔带过，翻译成if so.

8．不能善其后：不能很好地收拾残局。除译者采用的译法之外，还可译成salvage a hopeless situation; clear up the mess.



《白话》

打仗要速胜。时间一长，战略战术就会失去活力，部队锐气必定受挫，攻城则军力缺乏，军队长期暴露在外，国家财政则会不足。如果士兵疲惫，锐气受挫，兵力低下，物资匮乏，诸侯就会趁机发兵，即便是智人也不能很好地收拾残局。因此只听过战术虽差但求神速，未见过战术虽妙敢玩持久的。长期打仗却有利国家，从未有过。因此，不深知用兵的弊端，就不能深知用兵的好处。



《英译》

When a challenge is executed, a swift triumph is extremely important. If triumph is prolonged, the strategy will become dull and the edge will be taken off the dashing spirit of the troops. Consequently, when attacking a fortified city, strength will be compromised. Worse of all, the financial resources of the state will be insufficient. If so, other lords will execute challenges by taking advantage of your weakness. Even wise men cannot well manage this carry-over situation.

Therefore, we have only heard someone who has no fine strategy but pays much attention to swift triumph yet have not heard anyone who has fine strategy but persists in prolonging triumph. It has never happened that waging wars all the time will be beneficial to the state. Therefore, those who do not well know the weak points of war-waging do not well know the strong points of war-waging either.





3. 善用兵者，役不再籍，粮不三载，取用于国，因粮于敌，故军食可足也。国之贫于师者远输，远输则百姓贫；近师者贵卖，贵卖则百姓财竭，财竭则急于丘役。力屈财殚，中原内虚于家，百姓之费，十去其七；公家之费，破军罢马，甲胄矢弓，戟盾矛橹，丘牛大车，十去其六。



《注释》

1．役不再籍：役，兵役。再，不是具体的两次，是抽象地指多次。籍：征集。

2．三载：这里的三，同样不是具体的三，而是抽象地指多。载，不是指“年”，是指运载、运输、运送transport.

3．枯竭：耗尽，drain, use up；deplete。 耗尽敌人的军队deplete the opponents’ forces.

4．中原：the Central Plains.

5．丘牛：丘，春秋时期划分田地和区城的单位。九夫为井，四井为邑，四邑为丘，四丘为甸，四甸为县，四县为都，以任地事而令贡斌。丘甲，当时的税赋制规定，每甸应出毂一乘，戎马四匹，牛十二头，甲士三人，步卒七十二人。有鉴于此，“丘牛”并非普通百姓私家饲养的牛，而是因赋税而征收的牛，属于公家财产。当然翻译成英文不必如此复杂，不妨翻译为heavier oxen and larger vehicles，其含义是，与私人牛和车相比，因税征收的牛和车要大些。



《白话》

善于打仗的人，不用反复征兵，不用多次运粮，从别国获取物资，从敌方夺得粮食，军队的粮草就能因此而充足。国家贫困都是因为军队远道运输，远道运输，百姓就会贫困。靠近战区势必物价高涨，物价高涨则百姓财源枯竭，而赋税和劳役便会加剧。力量耗尽，财源枯竭，中原的虚弱来自家庭，百姓资产，损失七成；公家的资产，由于车辆损耗，马匹疲惫，盔甲弓箭，戟盾矛橹，以及壮牛大车的供应，消耗六成。



《英译》

Those who are expert in executing art of war neither recruit soldiers repeatedly nor transport provisions time and again. By gaining resources from other states and getting provisions from opponents, the provisions of their own can be sufficient. It is only because of long-distance transportation that a state becomes poor. The reason is that long-distance transportation makes people suffer from poverty. Prices definitely inflate at the places near war districts. And price-inflating will drain the people of their wealth. As a result, taxes become larger and more urgent, and more and more servitudes are badly needed. The state’s wealth is depleted and its strength is compromised. The homes of the people in the Central Plains are emptied. Seventy percent of the people’s wealth was lost. And sixty percent of the state’s wealth was lost because of broken four-horse vehicles, tired horses and a large amount of supply of helmets and armors, bows and arrows, halberds, spears, shields and sculls as well as heavier oxen and larger vehicles.



4. 故智将务食于敌，食敌一钟，当吾二十钟；忌杆一石，当吾二十石。



《注释》

1．智者：聪明人。这里指聪明的将帅，即领导人wise men, wise leaders, clever men, clever leader.

2．务食：务，务必，务求。务食就是务必得到食物。

3．钟：钟、石、斗、升、勺，为容量单位，没有与之相符的英文对应词。一般采取拼音方法，但这样恐不形象，因此需要加注。不如抽象地译成“容器”container和“单位”unit来得简便易懂，因此二十钟就译成20 container, 而十石则译成10 units.

4．忌杆：秸秆，引申为粗饲料fodder。有版本将“忌”字加草头的。



《白话》

因此有智谋的将领，都从敌方补充粮食，吃掉敌国一钟，相当于本国的二十钟，从敌方获饲料一石，相当于本国的二十石。



《英译》

Therefore, wise leaders get food from opponent. One container which I get from opponent is equal to twenty ones of mine; one unit of fodder from opponent is equal to twenty units of mine.



5. 故杀敌者，怒也；取敌之利者，货也。车战得车十乘以上，赏其先得者，而更其旌旗。车杂而乘之，卒善而养之，是谓胜敌而益强。



《注释》

1．乘：名词读“胜”，量词“辆”；动词读“成”，“乘坐”。十乘，即十辆。乘之，即乘坐。

2．杂：混合，混编，incorporate.

3．卒：战俘，captive, prisoner of war.

4．善而养：宽待并训练leniently treat and well train.



《白话》

所以杀敌的原因，就是愤怒；夺得敌方的利益，就是夺得他们的物资。在车战中，夺车十辆以上的，要奖赏首先夺得的人，并更换车上的旗帜。把夺得的战车与自己的混用，要善待俘虏，这就叫战胜敌人增强自己。



《英译》

So, the reason to destroy opponent is rage. Taking hold advantage from opponent is to take their resources. During a challenge, among those who are able to seize ten four-horse vehicles or more, the one to seize them first should be rewarded and his banners and flags should be changed. When using four-horse vehicles, you should incorporate yours with the ones got from opponents. And at the same time, you should leniently treat and well train captives. It is known as to enhance your own strength by use triumph over opponents.



6. 故兵贵胜，不贵久。 故知兵之将，民之司命。国家安危之主也。



《注释》

1．贵：重视，强调。

2．司命：掌握决定命运preside over destiny.



《白话》

因此，打仗强调速胜，反对拖延。所以，懂得军事的将帅，掌握着民众的命运，是国家安危的主宰。



《英译》

Therefore，during a challenge, a swift triumph is better than a prolonged one. So generals who well understand art of war preside over the destiny of the people and determine the security or danger of the state.





谋攻第三

Chapter Three: The Plan of Attack



1. 孙子曰： 夫用兵之法，全国为上，破国次之；全军为上，破军次之；全旅为上，破旅次之；全卒为上，破卒次之；全伍为上，破伍次之。是故百战百胜，非善之善也；不战而屈人之兵，善之善者也。



《注释》

1. 谋攻：谋，谋划，计划。简单地翻译成plan即可。攻，攻击， attack.

2. 全国为上：得到齐全的敌国为上策。其中的全，是全部，齐整，完好的意思。言外之意，是降服敌国。同样的道理，下文的“全军为上”、“全旅为上”等都是这个意思。

3. 破国次之：消灭敌国，使敌国破碎为下策。其中的“破”指击败消灭，使整个敌国山河破碎。同样的道理，下文的“破军次之”、“破旅次之”等都是这个意思。破，可译成destroy或break.

4. 卒：自西周时起，我国古代军队大多都是依照伍、两、卒、旅、师、军进行编制的。目前中国军队编制从大到小为：军、师、旅、团、营、连、排、班。班是最小编制。如此看来，古今军队编制名称，除了“军”和“旅”都有之外，其它无法对应，因此翻译起来颇有难度。一般译法，军为corps（单复数拼写相同，但读音不同，单数读类似“靠”，复数词尾加z音。）过去有译作army的。其实army 由若干corps组成，应译为“军团”或“兵团”。为了方便起见，译者把“军”和“旅”分别译成corps和brigade,“卒”与“伍”分别音译为斜体zu与wu.

5. 伍：古代军队最小单位，由五人编成。现在则泛指军队。



《白话》

孙子说：战争原则是：降服敌方全国为上策，消灭敌国为次等；降服敌方全军为上策，消灭敌军为次等； 降服敌方全旅为上策，消灭敌旅为次等；降服敌方全卒为上策，消灭敌卒为次等；降服敌方全伍为上策，消灭敌伍为次等。所以百战百胜，不算好中之好；不动武就使敌方投降，才是好中之好。



《英译》

Sun Tzu said: Generally, the principle of war is that to let the whole opponent state surrender is ideal, and to destroy it is inferior; to make the whole opponent corps surrender is ideal and to destroy it is inferior; to make the whole opponent brigade surrender is ideal and to destroy it is inferior; to make the whole opponent zu surrender is ideal and to destroy it is inferior; to make the whole wu surrender is ideal and destroy it is inferior. Therefore, to attack one hundred times and triumph one hundred times is not to have supreme skills. Only to make opponent surrender without challenge is to have supreme skills.



2. 故上兵伐谋，其次伐交，其次伐兵，其下攻城。攻城之法，为不得已。修橹轒辒，具器械，三月而后成；距闉，又三月而后已。将不胜其忿而蚁附之，杀士卒三分之一，而城不拔者，此攻之灾也。故善用兵者，屈人之兵而非战也，拔人之城而非攻也，毁人之国而非久也，必以全争于天下，故兵不顿而利可全，此谋攻之法也。



《注释》

1．伐谋：攻破对方的谋略。伐，thwart. 谋，即谋划，谋略，plan. 伐谋，攻破敌方谋划，thwart plan. 此外，谋略stratagem, scheme. 足智多谋，clever and resourceful, full of stratagems.

2．伐交：打的是外交仗。通过外交手段攻破敌方的联盟。

4．伐城：此处是攻打城池。这里的攻打应翻译成attack，城池则是fortified city or area，其中fortified 是设防的意思。表示不是普通的城市。

5．橹：摇橹渡船的橹，scull，翻译时可泛指船只。

5．轒辒：读“坟温”。轒，古代车上伞盖的撑弓。辒，古代一种卧车，也作“温车”。轒辒，翻译时泛指车辆vehicle即可。

距闉： 闉，读“因”，为攻城而堆积的土丘，,堆积用来观察敌情。距，同“具”具备，即堆积好土丘。

蚁附之：像蚂蚁那样聚集在一起swarm.

顿：损害。

全：保全。



《白话》:

因此上策是攻破敌方谋略，次之是通过外交手段攻破敌方联盟，再次之是攻破敌方战术，最次之是攻打敌方城池。攻城，是不得已的办法。舟车器械制作要三个月。堆积攻城用的土丘又要三个月。将领气怒火中烧，命令士兵蚂蚁般聚集一起， 结果三成被杀，城却并未攻下，这就是攻城的灾难。因此善用兵者，对敌人不战而能降服，对敌城不攻而能拿下，摧毁敌国不必持久。一定要争取全胜，才能既不损耗兵力，又能保全利益，这就是以谋略攻敌的方法。



《英译》

So, the best strategy is to thwart opponent’s plan. The second best one is to break opponent’s alliance through negotiations. The third best one is to thwart opponent’s art of war. And the most inferior one is to attack opponent’s fortified cities. Attacking fortified cities is the last resort which can only be adopted without any other choices. It takes three months to make everything necessary ready such as sculls, vehicles and tools. It takes three months longer to pile up an earth mound. Very much angry, the general orders his soldiers to ant-like swarm. As a result, one-third of his troops are destroyed without uprooting the city. This is the catastrophe of city attacking. Therefore, those who are good at executing art of war can bend opponents without conflict and uproot opponents’ fortified cities without attacking. It is unnecessary to take a long time to destroy a state. It is extremely important to strive for all round triumphs. Only by doing so, can you protect your strategy from being harmed and ensure complete gains for you. This is the very art of plan-attacking.



3. 故用兵之法，十则围之，五则攻之，倍则战之，敌则能分之，少则能逃之，不若则能避之。故小敌之坚，大敌之擒也。



《注释》

敌则能分之：敌，势均力敌 evenly matched, match each other in strength. 分，分割出击，cut up and then attack.

守：逃脱evade.

避：回避avoid.



《白话》

用兵方法是：十倍于敌就去包围，五倍于敌就去攻击，两倍于敌就去击散，势均力敌就去分击，少于敌军要能逃脱，不如敌军要能回避。因此，即使小股军队很坚强，大股军队也必能将其擒获。



《英译》

Artful strategy can be executed as follows: When opponents are ten times greater than you, surround them; five times greater, attack them; two times greater, scatter them; evenly matched, cut them up; when you are fewer in number, evade them; when you are uneven to match, avoid them. If so, even smaller opponents are in strong position, larger opponents can capture them.



4. 夫将者，国之辅也。辅周则国必强，辅隙则国必弱。故君之所以患于军者三：不知军之不可以进而谓之进，不知军之不可以退而谓之退，是谓縻军；不知三军之事而同三军之政，则军士惑矣；不知三军之权而同三军之任，则军士疑矣。三军既惑且疑，则诸侯之难至矣。是谓乱军引胜。



《注释》

辅：辅助auxiliary, assistance. 此处指辅助人员auxiliary worker.

周：周全。

隙：漏洞、空子。辅隙就是辅助不周，有漏洞。

患于军：患，危害。对军队造成危害。

谓之进：命令军队前进。谓，命令。

縻：縻，拴、捆，即束缚、拖累hobble, encumber, be a burden to. 比如：被一大家人所拖累to be encumbered with a large family.

同三军之政：参与三军的行政管理。三军，全军。Entire army, entire force.

同三军之任：参与三军的指挥。



《白话》

将领，是国家的辅助者。全力辅助则国家强盛，辅助不得力则国家衰弱。国君对军队会形成三种危害：不知道军队不可以前进而下令前进，不知道军队不可以后退而下令后退，这叫做拖累军队；不知道军队的事务非要管理，将士会迷惑；不知道军队的职权非要指挥，将士会起疑心。军队既迷惑又疑虑，诸侯发难指日而数。这叫乱军引导他人制胜。



《英译》

Generals are auxiliary personnel to a state. If they provide assistance wholeheartedly, the state will be strong. Otherwise, the state will be weakened. The lord maybe endangers his army in three ways: Without understanding that the force cannot advance, but he calls for an advance and without understanding that the force cannot retreat, but he calls for a retreat. This is called force- encumbering; without understanding the military affairs of the entire force, but he arbitrarily intervenes the management and if so, the officers and soldiers will be perplexed; without understanding the responsibilities and power limits of the entire force, but he forcibly commands and if so, the officers and soldiers will be suspicious. If his entire force is both perplexed and suspicious, the day is near for other lords to make troubles. This is called a disordered army leading others to triumph.



5. 故知胜有五：知可以战与不可以战者胜，识众寡之用者胜，上下同欲者胜，以虞待不虞者胜，将能而君不御者胜。此五者，知胜之道也。



《注释》

1．虞：预料，准备。

2．御：牵制，干预。干预的表达法很多，诸如：interfere in , intervene in, meddle in （with）, poke （one’s nose） into. 不干涉别国内政not interfere （or meddle） in the internal affairs or other nations. 干涉别人的私事interfere in （or poke into） others’ private affairs. 武装干涉armed intervention.



《白话》

因此从五个方面可以预知胜利：可战和不可战斗都知道，能胜；兵力多少都知道如何指挥，能胜；上下同心协力，能胜；准备充分者攻打没有准者，能胜；将领有才而国君又不牵制，能胜。这五点就是预知胜利的法宝。



《英译》

Thus, triumph can be predicted from five aspects: Generals know either the possibility to fight or the impossibility to fight, triumph is ensured. Generals know the ways to direct either the numerous or the few, triumph is ensured. The entire force acts in concert, triumph is ensured. Those well prepared fight the unprepared, triumph is ensured. Generals are capable and the lord does not interfere, triumph if ensured. These five points are the ways to foresee triumph.



6. 故曰：知彼知己，百战不殆；不知彼而知己，一胜一负；不知彼不知己，每战必败。



《注释》

1．殆：读“带”，危险。



《白话》

因此说：了解自己也了解对方，百战不败；不了解对方而了解自己，胜负的机率各半；既不了解对方又不了解自己，每战必败



《英译》

So it is said: Know the other and know yourself, you can fight a hundred battles with no danger; know not the other but know yourself, one triumph for one defeat; know not the other and know not yourself, every battle is certain peril.





军形第四



Chapter Four: Formula





1. 孙子曰： 昔之善战者，先为不可胜，以待敌之可胜。不可胜在己，可胜在敌。故善战者，能为不可胜，不能使敌之必可胜。故曰：胜可知，而不可为。



《注释》

1．军形：运用兵力的形式 formula to fight. 另外含有战时如何为自己定位之意position，因此也可将“军形”译成positioning.

2．不可为: 不可强求cannot be obtained forcibly. 注意：obtain得到。作“得到”解的表示方法不少，包括get, obtain, acquire, gain, win, earn. get使用范围最广，无论省力或费力与否均可使用；obtain特指费力后达到目的和实现愿望而得到；acquire特指经过努力，逐步增长或积累而得到；gain和win均指须经过斗争或竞争得到，但是win更含有以有利条件而赢得的意思；earn特指努力工作而得到的报酬。



《白话》

孙子说： 以前善于打仗的人，先创造自己不可被战胜的条件，以等待敌人可以被战胜的机会。不能被敌方战胜，关键在己方；不过能够战胜敌方的条件，则是敌方提供的。因此，善于打仗的人，只能使己方不可被战胜，而不能使敌方战则必胜。因此说：胜利可以预见，却不能强求。



《英译》

Sun Tzu said, in ancient times, those who were good at fighting firstly made themselves the conditions of not being defeated and then waited for the opportunities that opponents can be defeated. As for keeping yourself from being defeated by opponents, the key problem is at your side. Yet as for being able to triumph over opponents, the conditions are provided by opponents. Therefore, as for those who are good at fighting, the only thing they can do is to keep themselves from being defeated but not let opponents keep themselves from being defeated. Thus we can say that triumph can be foreseen but can not be obtained forcibly.



2. 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



《注释》

1．守则不足：防守是因为兵力不足。

2．攻则有余：进攻是因为兵力有余。



《白话》

不能取胜，那就防守；能够取胜，那就进攻。防守是因为兵力不足，进攻是因为兵力有余。善于防守的部队，像深藏地下，不易被发现，善于进攻的部队，像从天而降，防不胜防。这样就能够保全自己而大获全胜。



《英译》

If triumph is impossible, do defend. If triumph is possible, do attack. The reason to defend is the insufficiency of force. The reason to attack is the surplus of force. Forces good at defending are like hiding under the ground too deeply to be easily found. Forces good at attacking are like coming down from the heaven too suddenly to be guarded against. If so, you can save yourself and gain a full victory.



3. 见胜不过众人之所知，非善之善者也；战胜而天下曰善，非善之善者也。故举秋毫不为多力，见日月不为明目，闻雷霆不为聪耳。古之所谓善战者，胜于易胜者也。故善战者之胜也，无智名，无勇功，故其战胜不忒。不忒者，其所措胜，胜已败者也。故善战者，立于不败之地，而不失敌之败也。



《注释》

1．善：好。善之善者，好中只好best.

2．秋毫：动物秋天生出的新毛，很轻。秋毫无犯：not commit the slightest offence against the people; not encroach on the people’s interests in the least.

3．忒：错误error.



《白话》

预见胜利不超过平常人所知道的，不是好中之好；胜利了天下人都说好，也不是好中之好。举起鸟兽秋季的新毛，不算有力气，看得见日月，不算视力好，听得见雷声，不算听力好。古时所说的善于用兵，其实就是战胜容易被战胜的敌人。所以善于用兵，既不能归因于智慧名声，也不能归因于勇武有功，而是因为没有出现差错。不出现差错，措施必定有利于获胜，因此这就等于打败的是已经战败的敌人。因此，善于用兵的人，不仅能使自己处于不败的境地，还能不失时机地打败敌人。



《英译》

When foreseeing triumph, those who know no more than common people can not be considered as the best of all. After gaining triumph, those who are praised by all cannot be considered as the best of all. Those who can raise birds’ newly grown feathers in autumn cannot be considered as having the best eyesight. Those who can hear thunderclap cannot be considered as having the best hearing. In ancient times, those who were said as being good at executing art of war were actually the persons who could defeat the enemies that were easy to defeat. The reason for them to be skillful at executing art of war was neither that they had wisdom and good reputation nor that they had surpassing mettle and virtuous deeds but that they made no errors. Having no errors, their measurements must be advantageous to them to triumph. Therefore, it means that they defeated the enemies who had already been defeated. Therefore, those who are skilled in executing art of war can not only put themselves into a situation whereat they cannot be defeated but also miss no opportunities which can help them defeat opponents.



4. 是故胜兵先胜而后求战，败兵先战而后求胜。善用兵者，修道而保法，故能为胜败之政。



《注释》

1. 修道：提高对“道”的修养，cultivate the Tao.

2. 保法：使兵法得到保证，就是说对“道”的修养提高之后，才能保证兵法的实施。保法，secure the Tao.



《白话》

因此，胜者是先稳操胜券而后求战，败者则先求战而后再争取胜利。善于打仗的人，要修道守法，才能无论军事胜负都能妥善处理政务。



《英译》

Therefore, winning generals are certain to triumph before seeking challenges while losing generals are certain to challenge before seeking triumph. Those who are skilled in executing art of war should cultivate the Tao and secure strategy before they can be good at managing political affairs no matter winning or losing in military affairs.



5. 兵法：一曰度，二曰量，三曰数，四曰称，五曰胜。地生度，度生量，量生数，数生称，称生胜。



《注释》

1．地生度：此处“地”与前文解释保持一致，指状况，situation.

2．生：生出，引出；决定。生出，指前面一个问题生出或引出下一个问题。可以根据A give rise to B 的句式逐一翻译。如采取“决定”之意，则不妨如译者这样采用A decides B 的句式逐一翻译。



《白话》

兵法：一是地域广度，二是物资数量，三是部队数目，四是兵力比较，五是战局胜负。作战情况决定战地广度，战地广度决定资源数量，资源数量决定部队数目，部队数目决定兵力比较，兵力比较决定胜负。



《英译》

Arts of war includes: 1. Width of battlefield; 2. Quantity of resources; 3. Number of troops; 4. Comparison of force; 5. Triumph of war. Situation decides width of battlefield. Width of battlefield decides quantity of resources. Quantity of resources decides number of troops. Number of troops decides comparison of force. Comparison of force decides triumph of war.



6．故胜兵若以镒称铢，败兵若以铢称镒。 胜者之战，若决积水于千仞之溪者，形也。



《注释》

1．镒称铢：镒与铢分别读“意”与“珠”。计量单位。前者小，后者大。如果音译，写成斜体yi and zhu即可。不过这里并不是真正讲的具体度量单位问题，而是借以说明大小对比的关系。如果音译，外文读者并不知道其中的含义，不如以英语中常用的重量单位磅和盎司翻译更能直观地表述。

2．形：布局 position, positioning.



《白话》

胜利之军用镒衡量铢，以大比小，获得对比优势，失败之军用铢衡量镒，以小比大，没有对比优势。胜利者打仗，就像掘开千尺之溪，势不可挡，这就是布局。



《英译》

So, winning force is like comparing pound with ounce, namely, comparing small with big. By doing so, superiority can be obtained. But losing force is like comparing ounce with pound, namely, comparing big with small. By doing so, superiority will be lost. A winning force in conflict is just like digging open pent-up water of a thousand-foot stream. The momentum cannot be blocked. This is the matter of positioning.



兵势第五

Chapter Five: Momentum





1. 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，可使必受敌而无败者，奇正是也；兵之所加，如以瑕投卵者，虚实是也。



《注释》

分数：编制organization.

行名：指挥作战，部署兵力等。指挥command. 部署arrange, map out, lay out.

奇：突然袭击sudden attack.

正：正规攻击regular attack.

虚实：指虚虚实实的战术strategy of attack feint and real. 虚虚实实sometimes false, sometimes true. 以虚虚实实的战术使敌人疲于奔命tire out the enemy by attacks feint and real.



《白话》

治理大兵团如同治理小部队，这取决于合理的编制；与大兵团作战如同与小部队作战，这取决于有效的指挥；全军遭敌攻击而不败，这取决于正确发动突然出击和正常出击。部队攻敌，犹如投石打蛋，这取决于合理运用虚虚实实的战术。



《英译》

Generally speaking, administering the numerous is like administering the few. It depends on reasonable organization. Fighting against the numerous is like fighting against the few. It depends on effective command. The entire force is strong as it is. It can sustain no defeat thought it may suffer from attack from opponents. It depends on properly launching sudden attacks and regular attacks. The force attacks opponents like an egg is thrown onto a milestone. It depends on properly executing the strategy of attack feint and real.



2. 凡战者，以正合，以奇胜。故善出奇者，无穷如天地，不竭如江海。终而复始，日月是也。死而更生，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，不可胜穷也。奇正相生，如循环之无端，孰能穷之哉！



《注释》

1.合：迎战meet （approaching enemy） head-on; make a head-on attack.



《白话》

一切战争，都以正常出击与敌方相接，以意外出击克敌制胜。善于意外出击的人，兵力无穷无尽，犹如天地运行；永不枯竭，宛若江海。终而复始，恰似日月运行。去了再来，宛如四季更迭。乐声不过五种，五声变化组合，听也听不完；颜色不过五种，五色组合变化，看也看不完；味道不过五种，五味组合变化，尝也尝不完。战势不过奇正两种，而奇正组合变化，永无穷尽。奇正战术的变化，宛如循环那样变化多端，谁能使它穷尽呢？



In conflicts, a regular attack is launched for meeting the approaching opponent head on and a sudden attack is launched for triumph over the opponent. So those who are good at suddenly attacking can make their forces boundless as heaven and earth, inexhaustible as great rivers. Thus, they can come to the end and cycle to the beginning as the sun and moon. They can expire and cycle to rebirth like the four seasons. There are only five tones. But they excel in changes which are more than they can ever be heard. There only five colors. But they excel in changes which are more than they can ever be seen. There are only five flavors. But they excel in changes which are more than they can ever be tastes. There are only two momentums in conflicts, namely, regular attack and sudden attack. Yet they can be variegated through changes, boundless and endless. The changes of the strategy of sudden attack and regular attack can be variegated so shifty. Who can put t an end to them？



3. 激水之疾，至于漂石者，势也；鸷鸟之疾，至于毁折者，节也。故善战者，其势险，其节短。势如扩弩，节如发机。



《注释》

毁折: 置鸟雀于死地kill bird.

节：节奏rhythm.

发机：触发机关。此处指射箭。





《白话》

湍急水流的速度之快，能漂浮石块，这取决于势头；鸷鸟飞速之快，能捕杀雀鸟，这取决于于节奏。善战者，势头磅礴，节奏短促。势头如同拉弓蓄力，节奏宛如搭弓射箭。



《英译》

The speediness of swift current can float stones. It depends on its momentum. The swiftness of eagles can kill sparrows. It depends on its rhythm. Those who are skilled in conflict can make a tremendous momentum and have a short and pressing rhythm. Their momentum is like drawing a bow to accumulate strength while their rhythm is like bending a bow to shoot an arrow.



4. 纷纷纭纭，斗乱而不可乱；浑浑沌沌，形圆而不可败。乱生于治，怯生于勇，弱生于强。治乱，数也；勇怯，势也；强弱，形也。



《白话》

战事纷繁复杂，应对乱局不能自乱阵脚；战况扑朔迷离，布局圆满而不可漏洞百出。混乱是有序的产物，胆怯是勇敢的产物，弱小是强大的产物。有序与混乱，关键在编制；勇敢与怯懦，关键在气势；强大与弱小，关键在布局。



《注释》

1．形圆：形，布局。圆，圆满。布局圆满perfect arrangement.

2．数：编制organization.



《英译》

Warfare is miscellaneous and toilsome. Those who deal with disordered situations must not confuse their own positions. Those who deal with puzzling cases must not make any arrangements full of loopholes. Confusion is the product of order. Chicken-heartedness is the product of braveness. Weakness is the product of powerfulness. Order or disorder, it depends on organization. Brave or chicken-hearted, it depends on momentum. Powerful or weak, it depends on arrangement.



5. 故善动敌者，形之，敌必从之；予之，敌必取之。以利动之，以卒待之。



《白话》

善于调动敌军的人，向敌军展示姿态，敌军必然跟从；对敌军有所予，敌军必然收取。以利调动敌军，以兵等待敌军。



《注释》

1．动：调动move （troops）, manoeuvre.

2．待：等待wait for. 还可译成lie in wait for, 指布下埋伏等待敌军。



《英译》

Therefore, who are skilled in moving opponents’ troops depend on arrangements. Opponents are certain to follow them. Opponents are certain to accept whatever to be given. Move opponents with gain and deploy troops to lie in wait for them.





6. 故善战者，求之于势，不责于人，故能择人而任势。任势者，其战人也，如转木石。木石之性，安则静，危则动，方则止，圆则行。故善战人之势，如转圆石于千仞之山者，势也。



《注释》

势：势头，momentum.

任势：造势，create momentum.

安：安稳stable.

危：地势险要，不安稳unstable.

仞：读“认”。古时候八尺或七尺为一仞。如此说来，一仞大约相当于一米左右，因此翻译成“米”meter.



《白话》

所以善于打仗者，依靠势态，而不苛求于人，既能择人又能造势。能造势者，就像转动木石。木石的性情是，处于平坦之地就静止，处于陡峭之地就滚动，方形则静止，圆形则滚动。 善于打仗者的造势，就像在高山上滚动圆石，这就叫态势。



《英译》

Thus, those who are skilled in conflict seek momentum without blaming others. So they are good at selecting people and creating momentum. Those who are skilled in creating momentum act like moving wood and stone. The nature of timber and boulders is as follows: they are still when stable; they are rolling when unstable; they are still when squared; they are rolling when rounded. Therefore the momentum-creating of the people who are skilled in conflicts is just like rolling round stones on a 1,000 meter high mountain. This is called momentum.







虚实第六　　



Chapter Six: Feint and Reality



1.孙子曰：凡先处战地而待敌者佚，后处战地而趋战者劳。故善战者，致人而不致于人。能使敌人自至者，利之也；能使敌人不得至者，害之也。故敌佚能劳之，饱能饥之，安能动之。



《白话》

先抵达战地等待敌军的部队，精力充沛，后到达战地仓促上阵的部队，筋疲力尽。善战者，制约敌人而不被敌人制约。要使敌人自动前来，就用利益去引诱；要使敌人不能前来，就用危害去阻挠。因此，敌人精力充沛就使他疲劳，敌人粮食充足就使他饥饿，敌人安静不动，就使他不得不动起来。



《注释》

1．虚实：其实就是真真假假Feint and Reality.

2．佚：同“逸” at ease. 也作“精力充沛”full of vim and vigor.

3．劳：疲劳，筋疲力尽 tired out, fatigued. 以逸待劳：wait at one’s ease for the fatigued enemy （opponent）. 劳逸结合：combine work with adequate rest; strike a proper balance between work and leisure.

4．致：制约restrict, condition.

5．利：就是战时的有利条件advantage.

6．害：危害danger and harm. 此处指以危害阻挠敌方。与上文的“利”advantage相对应，就是战时的不利条件disadvantage. 阻挠：obstruct, thwart. 百般阻挠：obstruct in every possible way. 计划受到阻挠：be thwarted in one’s plan. 是什么阻挠了两国关系正常化呢？What stands in the way of normalization of relations between these two countries? 由此可见，不同情况的“阻挠”有不同的翻译法，这也体现了翻译的灵活性和多样性。



《翻译》

Sun Tzu said, those who are early to arrive at battlefield to lie in wait for opponents are at ease, while those who are late to arrive at battlefield to launch attack hurriedly are fatigued. So those who are skilled in conflict restrict others without being restricted by others. If you want to make opponents approach on their own initiative, use advantage to lure them. If you don’t want to make opponents approach, create disadvantage to obstruct them. Therefore, if opponents are full of vim and vigor, make them tired out. If opponents have sufficient grain, make them go hungry. If opponents are calm, force them to move.



2. 出其所不趋，趋其所不意。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，守其所必攻也。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。



《白话》

向敌人增援不到的地方进攻，在敌人无法预料的时间出击。走远路而不疲劳，因为走在无人抵抗的地方。发动进攻就一定会攻占，因为攻击的是敌人疏于防守的地方。防守一定要坚固，因为防守的是敌人一定会进攻的地方。善于进攻的将领，敌人不知道怎样来防备他；善于防守的将领，敌人不知道要怎样来进攻他。微妙啊微妙，已经到了无形的地步；神奇啊神奇，已经到了无声的地步，正因为如此，才能成为敌人命运的主宰者。



《注释》

1.司命：掌控master. 指掌控命运。



《英译》

Launch attack to where is beyond reinforcement from opponent; start attack when opponent cannot predict. Travel a long way without being tired because you go where is beyond defense of opponent. If attacking, occupation is ensured because you attack where opponent is negligent of defense. If defending, the position must be strong because you defend where opponent must attack. Those who are skilled in attack make opponent not to know where they should defend. Those who are skilled in defense make opponent not to know where they should attack. How subtle it is! You have already landed yourself in an invisible situation. How magical it is! You have already landed yourself in a noiseless situation. Thus you can be the one who masters the opponent’s destiny.





3. 进而不可御者，冲其虚也；退而不可追者，速而不可及也。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。



《注释》

1．攻：进攻offensive, attack, assault. offensive常指大规模攻势；attack多指具体攻击行动；assault指一次突击性的、短促的攻击。此外，fight, challenge 等也都可指“攻击”。发起攻击，launch an attack on somebody.

2．御：抵御resist, put up resistance. 抵抗侵略resist aggression; stand against aggression.

3．冲：攻击，冲击。

4．虚：薄弱。

5．乖：违反常理，distort. 乖其所之，违背所要去的地方，引申为扭转前进的方向或目标。扭转可译作reverse.



《白话》

我军进攻而敌军不可抵御，那是因为冲击了敌军的虚弱之处；我军撤退而敌军追不到，那是因为速度快敌军无法追。因此我军要交战，敌军即便有高墙深沟，也不得不与我军交战，那是因为我军攻打了敌军必定要救援的要害处；我军不想与敌军交战，虽然只是在地上画出界限而防守，敌人都不能与我军交战，那是因为掉转了敌军的行进方向。



《英译》

We launch attack but opponent is unable to resist. It is because that we strike the place that is the weak point of opponent. We retreat but opponent is unable to catch up with us. It is because that we are too speedy for opponent to pursue us. Therefore, so long as we fight against opponent, opponent has to meet our fight though they enjoy favorable situations of towering walls and deep waterways. It because that we strike the key position that opponent must rescue. So long as we do not fight against opponent, opponent is unable to fight against us though where we defend is only a boundary line we drew on the ground. It is because we reversed the direction of opponent’s advance.



4. 故形人而我无形，则我专而敌分。我专为一，敌分为十，是以十攻其一也。则我众敌寡，能以众击寡者，则吾之所与战者约矣。吾所与战之地不可知，不可知则敌所备者多，敌所备者多，则吾所与战者寡矣。故备前则后寡，备后则前寡，备左则右寡，备右则左寡，无所不备，则无所不寡。寡者，备人者也；众者，使人备己者也。



《注释》

1．形人：他人暴露。形，暴露expose.

2．无形：隐蔽conceal, cover.

3．专：专一，引申为集中、聚集gather, assemble.

4．约：少。

5．备：防备guard against.





《白话》

所以敌军暴露而我军隐蔽，我军兵力集中而敌军兵力分散。我军集合为一股而敌军分为十股，这就等于以我十股攻敌一股。于是，我军人多敌军人少，就能以多胜少，我军要战胜的对手的就少。敌军不知道我军会在哪里与他们交战，于是就会处处防备，而防备的地方也就会多，这样一来，能够与我军对抗的就很少了。 所以防备前方，则后方空虚，防备后方，则前方空虚，防备左方，则右方空虚，防备右方，则左方空虚，于是所有的地方都防备，所有的地方也就都空虚。部队数量少，是因为防备敌人；部队数量多，是因为要迫使敌人进行自我防御。



《英译》

Therefore, opponent is exposed while we are concealed; our forces are concentrated while opponent’s forces are dispersed. Our forces are gathered into one team, while opponent’s forces are divided into ten teams. Thus we are numerous but opponent is few and we can defeat the few by the numerous. If so, the opponents we must defeat must be few. Opponent does not know the place whereat we fight against them. They will set up defenses everywhere. If so, they will have many places whereat they must set up defenses. As a result they have fewer places whereat they can oppose us. Hence the following situations: when guarding against opponent at the front, it is weak at the rear; when guarding against opponent at the rear, it is weak at the front; when guarding against opponent at the left side, it is weak at the right side; when guarding against opponent at the right side, it is weak at the left side. Thus, when guarding against opponent everywhere, it is weak everywhere. The forces are few. It is because that they are to guard against opponents. The forces are numerous. It is because that they are to force opponent to engage self-defense.



5. 故知战之地，知战之日，则可千里而会战；不知战之地，不知战日，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！以吾度之，越人之兵虽多，亦奚益于胜哉！ 故曰：胜可为也。敌虽众，可使无斗。



《注释》

1．亦奚益于胜哉：对胜利又有何好处呢？奚，何。

2．越人：越国人。



《白话》

所以，知道作战地点，又知道作战时间，就可以奔赴远方去交战；不知道作战斗地点，又不知道作战时间，左军就不能救右军，右军也不能救左军，前军就不能救后军，后军也不能救前军，更何况远在十里之外交战，或近在几里之外交战。依我看，越军虽多，但对胜利有何好处呢？ 所以说：胜利可以获得。敌人虽多，但可以使他们无法参战。



《英译》

Thus, if knowing either place where to fight or time when to fight, we can go far away to engage challenge. If knowing neither place where to fight nor time when to fight, the force on the left cannot rescue the force on the right, the force on the right cannot rescue the force on the left; the force at the front cannot rescue the force at the rear, the force at the rear cannot rescue the force at the front. Let alone conflicts are engaged as far as ten miles away or at least several miles away. It seems to me that the forces of Yue State have no favorable conditions to triumph at all thought they are numerous. So it is said that triumph can be managed. The key problem is that you can force opponent not to fight though they are numerous.





6. 故策之而知得失之计，作之而知动静之理，形之而知死生之地，角之而知有余不足之处。故形兵之极，至于无形。无形，则深间不能窥，智者不能谋。因形而措胜于众，众不能知。人皆知我所以胜之形，而莫知吾所以制胜之形。故其战胜不复，而应形于无穷。



《注释》

1．策：分析、衡量、比对analyze, calculate.

2．作：试探

3．形：侦察

4．角：较量、交战、交火fight against, engage conflict with.

5．形兵：部队的行踪trace, track.

6．无形：无行踪可察。

7．因形而措胜：根据行踪获胜。跟踪trail, follow in the track, follow on the heels. 跟踪敌人follow in the track of the enemy; follow on the heels of the enemy. 跟踪追击follow on someone’s heels in hot pursue; tread on someone’s heels in hot pursue.





《白话》

所以，通过分析，了解得失的计谋；通过试探，了解动静的道理；通过侦察，了解生命攸关的战地；通过交战，了解自己的长处和短处。所以，最完美的战斗姿态，就是要到达无迹可寻。无迹可寻，即便敌方深入我方也不能窥探，再有智慧也不能想出对策。根据行踪取胜，摆在众人面前，众人也看不出奥妙。人们都知道我方的胜利，却不知我方获取胜利的道理。所以说，获胜的情况都不重复，应该归功于应对无穷无尽的情况之能力。



《英译》

Therefore, through calculating, we know strategies related to triumph or failure; through probing, we know reasons to keep calm or moving; through scouting, we know battlefields concerning life and death; through engaging conflicts, we know our own strong points and weak points. So our perfect fighting attitude is to gain the capability to let opponents find no traces of ours. If so, our opponents cannot spy on us thought they penetrate into our area and they cannot create any countermeasures either even if they are wiser than ever before. When we triumph by executing strategy of following on opponents’ heels, no common people can make out the secrets even if we display everything openly. Everyone knows our victories but no one knows the reasons to help us win the victories. So the cases about winning victories cannot be repeated. And it is due to the capability to control the innumerable cases.



7. 夫兵形象水，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，日有短长，月有死生。



《注释》

1．兵形：屯兵，兵力部署。形，除了作“形式”和“形状”解之外，此处还可作“部署”解，即position.

2．制流：控制流向。

3．五行：即阴阳五行。简单地翻译作five elements即可。

4. 月有死生: 月有圆缺，月有盈亏。圆缺，盈亏：wax and wane.



《白话》

兵力部署的特性似流水，水的特性是避开高处流向低处，兵力部署的特性是避开实力强大之敌，打击虚弱之敌；水根据地形控制流向，军队根据敌情来取胜。所以兵没有惯常规律，流水没有固定形态。能根据敌情变化而取胜的人，可以说用兵如神。金、木、水、火、土五行，相克没有固定的胜负，四季更迭没有固定日期，白天有长短，月亮有圆缺。

　　

《英译》

The feature of force-positioning is like flowing water. And the feature of water is to evade high lands and flow to low lands. And the feature of force-positioning is to evade strong opponents and fight against weak opponents. It is according to terrain that water controls its direction, while it is according to enemy situation that forces win victories. So there is no regular principle for troops to follow and there is no stable form for water to move. Those who can triumph according to the changes of the enemy situation can be considered as working miracles in commanding troops. As for the five elements of gold, wood, water, fire and earth, there is neither regular victory nor regular failure when they restrain each other. As for the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter, there is no regular dates when they alternate in succession. Days are sometime long and sometimes short. Moon is sometimes wax and sometimes wane.





军争第七

Chapter Seven: Fight for Military Initiative

1．孙子曰：凡用兵之法，将受命于君，合军聚众，交和而舍，莫难于军争。军争之难者，以迂为直，以患为利。故迂其途，而诱之以利，后人发，先人至，此知迂直之计者也。



《注释》

1．军争：争夺军事主动权 fight for military initiative. 争夺：contend for, scramble for,凡属于军事之争多用fight for.

2．合军：集结军队gather force.

3．聚众：聚合百姓assemble masses. 不是聚众闹事的“聚众”。聚众闹事： gather a crowd to make trouble.

4．舍：安营扎寨encamp, pitch a camp.



《白话》

孙子说，打仗的一般程序是：将领接受国君命令，集结军队组织民众，军民团结，认清形势，安营扎寨，而最难的莫过于争夺主动权。争夺主动权之所以困难，是因为要化迂回为径直，化不利为有利。所以，要采取迂回路线，以小利引诱敌方，比敌方出发迟，却要比敌方早抵达战地，这才算懂得迂回与径直的辩证策略。



《英译》

Sun Tzu said: The procedure of a war is as follows. Commander is directed by a lord. Force is gathered and masses are assembled. They are united, oriented and encamped. Nothing is more difficult than fighting for initiative. The reason is that indirect must be turned to direct and disadvantage must be turned into advantage. Hence, take indirect route and lure opponent by holding out tiny advantage. Start out after opponent and arrive before them. Those who can manage all these can be considered as well understanding the strategy of indirect and direct.





2．故军争为利，军争为危。举军而争利则不及，委军而争利则辎重捐。是故卷甲而趋，日夜不处，倍道兼行，百里而争利，则擒三将军，劲者先，疲者后，其法十一而至；五十里而争利，则蹶上将军，其法半至；三十里而争利，则三分之二至。是故军无辎重则亡，无粮食则亡，无委积则亡。



《注释》

1．委军：由委积简化而来。委积，储备粮草。《周礼·地官·大司徒》：“大宾客，令野脩道委积。” 孙诒让正义：“《説文·禾部》云：‘积，聚也。’……凡储聚禾米薪芻之属，通谓之委积。”委军，粮草储备充足的军队。如果“粮草储备”则用provisions;如果想下文“无委积则亡”中的“委积”则不妨翻译成reserves, 贮藏等意。

2. 不及：得不到，达不到目的。注意：目的有多种说法，如objective, aim, purpose, goal, end. Objective指能够达到的明确目的；aim含有目标明确而又全力以赴去实现；purpose则指计划中决心去做到的事；goal是指经过一番努力才能达到的目的；end则着重于所希望达到的最终结果，以区别整个过程。根据这些原则，此处的达到目的，应该是指军事计划中决心要做到的事，因此选用accomplish purpose. 其它搭配如：attain objective; realize aim; attain （achieve）goal; achieve end.

3．而至: 到达arrive. 另可作“坚持到底”解stick it out; hold on straight to the end; carry through firmly to the end. 而坚持做某事，可用persist in doing或persevere in doing. 前者可用于好事或坏事，而后者一般用于好事，并含有不顾困难坚持下去的意思。其它说法，如insist on 指坚持某种要求、主张和说法；uphold指肯定、拥护某种原则、决议、决定等；adhere to, stick to表示坚持某种意见、政策、方案、计划等。

4．辎重：行军时由运输部队携带的物资。可译成transportation.

5．亡：灭亡，失败。 可译成主动式to lose；也可译成被动式to be destroyed, to be defeated, to be wiped out, to be annihilated, to be terminated.



《白话》

因此，军事斗争既有利，也有害。全军大举攻敌去争利就会达不到目的，物资准备充足的军队去争利就会损失惨重。所以，即便轻装上阵急行军，日夜不停，加倍行程，奔走百里与敌争利，也不会有好结果，弄不好连三军将帅都会被擒，况且体健的走在前，体弱的走在后，一般只有十分之一的人能到；如果奔走五十里与敌争利，主将就会受挫，一般只有二分之一的人能到；即使奔走三十里与敌争利，结果也只能有三分之二的人能到。所以，没有物资装备要灭亡，没有粮草供应要灭亡，没有资金储备也要灭亡。





《英译》

So fight for military initiative may be advantageous; fight for military initiative may be dangerous. If a whole force fights for military initiative, the purpose will not be accomplished. If a force with sufficient provisions will suffer heavy loses. So the result will not be good even if the force, fighting for military initiative, joints battle with light packs, makes a forced march, does not stop day and night, doubles route or even cover 100 miles. Worse of all, even all commanders of the whole force may be captured. Let alone those who are strong walk before and those who are weak walk behind. As a result, only one in ten can arrive. If covering 50 miles, it will result in the fall of the first commander. And if so, only half can arrive. Even if only covering 30 miles, the result will be that only two in three can arrive. Therefore the force without sufficient transportation must be defeated; the force without sufficient provisions must be defeated; the force without sufficient reserves must be defeated.





3．故不知诸侯之谋者，不能豫交；不知山林、险阻、沮泽之形者, 不能行军；不用导者，不能得地利。



《注释》

1．豫交：打交道deal with, treat with.与敌人打交道deal with the enemy.

2．沮泽：沼泽marsh.





《白话》

所以，不了解各路诸侯的意图，不能与之交往；不熟悉山林、险阻和沼泽，就不能行军；不用向导，就不能得地形之利。



《英译》

So you cannot deal with other lords without knowing their intentions. You cannot move your force without well knowing the conditions of mountains, forests, marshes, dangers and difficulties. You cannot benefit from the advantages of terrain without employing local guides.



4．故兵以诈立，以利动，以分合为变者也。故其疾如风, 其徐如林，侵掠如火，不动如山，难知如阴，动如雷震。掠乡分众，廓地分利，悬权而动。先知迂直之计者胜，此军争之法也。



《注释》：

1．诈：假装 feint, pretend. 不宜按字面翻译成诈骗、欺诈deceive, cheat, swindle或狡诈tricky, cunning, crafty. 因为这些表达法都带有主观强烈的感情色彩。而用假装feint, pretend则多了几分客观性。

2．徐：缓慢slow.

掠乡：抄掠乡野search the countryside. 抄获：search and seize; ferret out.

廓地：开拓疆土open a territory.

悬权：权衡利害calculate advantages and disadvantages.



《白话》

所以，兵法以诈谋为基础、以利益为动机，以兵力分散集结为变化原则。所以，行动之快如风；动作之缓如林；侵扰之猛如火；按兵之静如山。琢磨不定如雾；迅猛异常如雷。抄掠乡野所获，要分发给部众；开拓疆土分享利益，务必权衡利害采取相应行动。事先懂得化迂回为径直的策略者就能获胜，这就是战争原则。



《英译》

So the art of war takes feint as its foundation, takes advantage as its motive, takes the changes of force gathering and force dividing as its principle. Therefore, action is swift as wind. Operation is slow as forest. Movement is slow as forests. Aggression is violent as fire. Immobility is still as mountains. Plan is unknowable as mist. Momentum is tremendous as thunder. Searching countryside, results of battle should be distributed to subordinates. Opening a territory, advantages should be shared with others. Before taking action, advantages and disadvantages should be calculated. You will triumph so long as getting to know how to transform indirect into direct beforehand. It is the principle of war.



5．《军政》曰：“言不相闻，故为之金鼓；视不相见，故为之旌旗。”夫金鼓旌旗者，所以一民之耳目也。民既专一，则勇者不得独进，怯者不得独退，此用众之法也。故夜战多火鼓，昼战多旌旗，所以变人之耳目也。



《注释》

1．金：锣gong.

2．旌旗：就是旗子。但如果细说，旌其实是古代旗子的一种，旗杆顶上用无色羽毛作装饰。旌旗，翻译成banner and flag即可。

3．专一：团结一致。

4．用众：指挥众多的人数。此处的众指人数多the numerous, 并非指民众masses.

5．火：火把torch, 而不是一般的火fire.



《白话》

《军政》说：“说话听不见，所以配备锣鼓；动作看不见，所以配备旌旗。”所以锣鼓和旌旗就成了人们的耳目。全民统一听从指挥。那么，勇敢的人就不能单独前进，怯弱的人也不能单独后退，这就是指挥众多人员的原则。因此夜战多用火鼓，日战多用旌旗，也就变成了人们的耳目。



《英译》

On Politics and Military Affairs said: “Speaker cannot be heard, gongs and drums are used. Observers cannot be seen, banners and flags are used.” Gongs and drums, banners and flags have thus become people’s ears and eyes. ” All people unite as one and obey orders so that neither brave people can advance alone nor fearful people can retreat alone. It is the art to order numerous. Therefore torches and drums are used in conflicts in nighttime, while banners and flags are used in conflicts in daytime. And they have thus become people’s ears and eyes.



6．故三军可夺气，将军可夺心。是故朝气锐，昼气惰，暮气归。故善用兵者，避其锐气，击其惰归，此治气者也。以治待乱，以静待哗，此治心者也。以近待远，以佚待劳，以饱待饥，此治力者也。无邀正正之旗，勿击堂堂之陈，此治变者也。





《注释》

1．归：内敛，内缩draw inward.

2．治：控制control.

3．待：对待treat，应对deal with, 但译者借用了当前流行词语PK. 其“渊源”有两个：一个是指网络游戏中的玩家之间彼此对打，源于英文Player Killing的缩写；另一个“渊源”是指足球里的罚点球，也就是penalty kick的缩写，引申为一对一单挑，只有一个人能赢。

4．无邀正正之旗：邀，拦截intercept. 正正之旗，旗帜布列有序Banners are orderly and straightforward. 可以这样直译，也可作“军容严整”来翻译。军容：military bearing. 严整：in an orderly manner, in orderly array. array军队的列阵。军容严整The troops are in orderly array.

5．堂堂之陈：阵势堂皇。阵势formation. 堂皇impressive and imposing.

6．变：变化多端variation.



《白话》

军队的锐气可以受挫，将帅的意志可以动摇。因此士气早晨锐盛，白天懈怠，晚上衰竭。所以，善于用兵作战的人，总是避开敌方的锐气，待其士气懈怠攻击。这是掌控士气变化的法则。以有序应对混乱，以冷静应对喧嚣，这是掌控军队心理变化的法则。以近应对远，以安逸应对劳顿，以足食应对饥饿，这是掌控战斗力的法则。不要去拦截军容严整的敌人，也不要去攻击阵势堂皇的敌人，这是应变的法则。



《英译》

Therefore the entire force can be robbed of its spirit and the commanders can be robbed of their moral. So spirit is sharp in the morning; spirit is idle in the daytime; spirit draws inward at dusk. Those who are skilled in using art of war evade when spirit is sharp and fight when spirit is idle and draws inward. This is the art to control spirit. Order PK disorder. Calm PK noise. This is the art to control mentality. Near PK distant. Comfort PK fatigue. Well-fed PK hungry. This is the art to control strength. Do not intercept opponents in orderly array. Do not attack opponents in impressive and imposing formation. This is art to control variations.



7．故用兵之法：高陵勿向，背丘勿逆，佯北勿从，锐卒勿攻，饵兵勿食，归师勿遏，围师必阙，穷寇勿迫。此用兵之法也。



《注释》

1．高陵：指敌方居高临下。居高临下have a commanding view from a vantage ground; at a commanding position.

2．勿向：不要攻击。

3．勿逆：不要抄后路。Not to back down.

4．归师：撤退的部队。撤退withdraw, retreat.

5．勿遏：不干扰。干扰interfere.

6．阙：同“缺”，此处指“缺口”。

7．穷寇：“穷”指绝望desperate.



《白话》

所以用兵的法则是：敌人居高不攻；敌人靠山不战；敌人装败不追；敌人气盛不拼；敌人利诱不取；敌人回师不拦；包围敌人须留缺口；敌人绝望不要追逼。这都是用兵的法则。



《英译》

So art in executing artful strategy is as follows: When opponent is in high mountains, never attack; when opponent is behind the hills, never back down; when opponent makes a feint failure, never pursue; when opponent is in high spirit, never attack; when opponent baits a hook, never bite; when opponent withdraws, never interfere; when opponent is surrounded, never forget to leave an opening; when opponent is desperate, never press. This is the way to execute art of war.



九变第八

Chapter Eight: Nine Variations



1．凡用兵之法，将受命于君，合军聚合。泛地无舍，衢地合交，绝地无留，围地则谋，死地则战，途有所不由，军有所不击，城有所不攻，地有所不争，君命有所不受。



《注释》

1．泛地：遭破坏之地obstructed places.

2．衢地：指各国相毗邻的要冲intersecting area.

3．舍：驻扎station a force.

4．由：采取take.注意：上述各句既可用主动句式，也可用被动句式。不妨采取被动句式，更方便些。



《白话》

打仗的一般法则是：将领接受 国 君命令，集结军队组织民众。残垣断壁之处慎勿驻扎；身处通达的要冲之地注意结交；身陷凶险艰难之地切莫停留；身陷难找出路之围地要设计免难；身陷走投无路之死地须奋战求生。有的道路可以不走，有的敌军可以不打，有的城邑可以不攻，有的土地可以不争， 国君命令有的可以不听。



《英译》

Generally, the procedure of a war is as follows. Commander is directed by a lord. Force is gathered and masses are assembled. Forces should never be stationed in obstructed situations. Much attention should be paid to social activities in intersecting situations. Forces should never linger in dangerous situations. Schemes should be created in surrounded situations. Forces should fight for survival in desperate situations. There are some ways you should not take. There are some enemies you should not fight against. There are some cities that should not be attacked. There are some areas that should not be taken. There are some orders from the lord that should not be obeyed.



2．故将通于九变之利者，知用兵矣；将不通九变之利，虽知地形，不能得地之利矣；治兵不知九变之术，虽知五利，不能得人之用矣。



《注释》

1．通：精通master, have a good command of; be well versed in; be proficient in. 精通英语：have a good command of English. 精通数学：be （well）versed in mathematics.精通业务：be proficient in professional work; be expert in professional work.

2．变：变化variations.

3．得人之用：充分利用人才。人才：persons of talent.



《白话》

所以，将帅若能精通这些应变策略的好处，就算懂得如何用兵。将帅若不精通这些应变策略的好处，虽然了解地形，也不能从中获益。用兵作战，若不懂得九种应变策略，虽然也知道这五方面的好处，也是不能充分利用人才。



《英译》

So, the commanders who are well versed in all these strategies are considered as being expert in executing art of war. If failed to have a good command of advantages of the nine variations, a commander cannot benefit from them though he well knows the terrain and its features. Without well understanding the strategies of the nine variations when executing art of war in conflicts, a commander cannot make a full use of persons of talent though he knows the five advantages.



3．是故智者之虑，必杂于利害，杂于利而务可信也；杂于害，而患可解也。



《注释》

1．杂于：考虑到。杂于利害，利害兼顾。兼顾：give consideration to both … and; take into account … and … 公私兼顾：give consideration to both public and private interests.

2．解：解除relieve, remove, lift. 注意：relieve常用于解除痛苦、忧愁、职务等；remove常用于免除职务、消除疑虑等；lift用于解除封锁、包围、禁令等。但是要注意，上述各点只是一般用法，实际情况却很灵活。请看以下例证。解除职务：relieve（or dismiss） somebody from his post; remove somebody from office. 解除禁令：relieve（or lift） a ban. 解除宵禁：lift the curfew. 解除武装：disarm.解除警报：sound the all clear. 解除婚约：break off one’s engagement.解除思想顾虑：free one’s mind of all misgivings.



《白话》

所以，明智者思考问题，必须兼顾利害双方。顾及利，做事才令人信服，顾及害，祸患才能解除。



《英译》

So wise men should give consideration to both advantages and disadvantages when thinking over something. Giving consideration to advantages, they can convince others. Giving consideration to disadvantages, misfortunes can be removed.



4．是故屈诸侯者以害，役诸侯者以业，趋诸侯者以利。



《注释》

1．屈：屈从, yield, surrender.

2．役使：enslave.

3．业：功业achievement.

4．趋：同驱使drive.



《白话》

所以，要以危害令诸侯屈从，要以业绩役使诸侯，要以利益驱使诸侯。



《英译》

Therefore, other lords should be forced to surrender by means of disadvantages and should be enslaved by means of achievements and should be driven by means of advantages.



5．故用兵之法，无恃其不来，恃吾有以待之；无恃其不攻，恃吾有所不可攻也。



《注释》

1．恃：读“是”，依靠rely on, 也引申为指望、期待expect.



《白话》

所以，用兵的法则是：不要指望敌人不来，要依靠自己充分的准备；不要指望敌人不攻击，要依靠自己具备敌人不敢攻击的实力。



《英译》

So the art of war is as follows: Do not expect that opponents do not come but rely on your own full preparations. Do not expect that opponents do not attack but reply on having your own military strength that makes opponents not dare to attack.



6．故将有五危，必死可杀，必生可虏，忿速可侮，廉洁可辱，爱民可烦。凡此五者，将之过也，用兵之灾也。覆军杀将，必以五危，不可不察也。



《注释》

1．必死：引申为怕死fear death.

2。必生：引申为贪生covet life, cravenly cling to life. 贪图：seek, hanker for, covet. 贪图安逸：seek ease and comfort. 贪小失大：covet a little and lose a lot. 贪小便宜：keen on gaining petty advantages.



《白话》

所以将帅有五个危险：怕死就有被杀害的危险；贪生就有被俘虏的危险；急躁就有被侮辱的危险；清廉就有被玷污的危险；仁爱就有被烦扰的危险。以上五点，是将帅常犯的过失，也是用兵常遇的灾害。军队覆没将帅被杀，必然归因五危，不可掉以轻心。



《英译》

Commanders therefore face five dangers. If they fear death, they will face the danger to be killed. If they cravenly cling to life, they will face the danger to be captured. If they are impetuous, they will face the danger to be insulted. If they are honest, they will face the danger of humiliated. If they are benevolent, they will face the danger to be perturbed. The above mentioned five points are not only the mistakes that commanders usually make but also misfortunes that usually happen in conflicts. The whole force is entirely wiped out and commanders are all killed. Surely this is due to these five dangers. No one should let down his guard against this.



行军第九

Chapter Nine: Moving the Force　　



1. 孙子曰： 凡处军相敌，绝山依谷，视生处高，战隆无登，此处山之军也。绝水必远水，客绝水而来，勿迎之于水内，令半渡而击之利，欲战者，无附于水而迎客，视生处高，无迎水流，此处水上之军也。绝斥泽，唯亟去无留，若交军于斥泽之中，必依水草而背众树，此处斥泽之军也。平陆处易，右背高，前死后生，此处平陆之军也。凡此四军之利，黄帝之所以胜四帝也。



《注释》

1．处军：部署兵力position the force.

2．相敌：观察敌情observe opponents.

3．绝：通过，穿过cross.

4．视生：寻找安全地带，引申为安营扎寨encamp.

5．战隆：在高地作战。

6．登：登山、爬山去打仗。

7．斥泽：沼泽地。

8．亟:迅速。



《白话》

孙子说：处置军队和观察敌情的一般原则是：通过山区，要走谷地，安营扎寨要选择高处，对占领高地之敌，不要爬山去攻，这是在山区处置军队的原则。横渡江河，应远离水流驻扎，敌军渡水而来，不要在江河中迎战，而要等他们渡过一半再攻击，这样有利。如果要同敌军决战，不要紧靠水边迎击；在江河地带驻扎，安营扎寨也要选择高处，不要面对水流，这是在江河地带处置军队的原则。通过沼泽地带，要迅速离开，不要逗留；如果同敌军在沼泽地带交战，要靠近水草而背靠树林，这是在沼泽地带处置军队的原则。在平原地带部署兵力容易，右侧倚托高地，前面看似死路一条，背后隐藏逃生之路，这是在平原地带处置军队的原则。这四种处置军队原则的好处，正是黄帝能战胜其他四帝的原因。



《英译》

Sun Tzu said that when handling forces and observing opponents, the following principles should be followed. When going through mountain areas, valleys should be chosen. When finding security, highlands should be selected. When fighting against opponents in highlands, attack by means of mountain-climbing should be avoided. This is the rule for force-positioning s in mountain areas. After crossing a river, places far from water should be chosen to encamp. When opponents coming across a river, make a charge at them not in the water but in the time when they half cross the river. This is advantageous. When waging life-and-death battles with opponents, charges should not be made at them near water front. When encamping in places with waterways, highlands should be selected but areas facing waterways should be avoided. This is the rule for force-positioning in area with waterways. When going through mashes, do not stay but leave rapidly instead. If in conflicts with opponents in mashes, places should be selected close to areas whereat water and grass are available with forests as backers. If in flatlands, force-positioning is easy, places should be chosen which is supported by highlands in the right side. And it seems to be a dead end in the front but a way to escape hides in the back. This is the rule for force -positioning in flatlands. The advantages of these four ways for force-positioning are just the reasons for Huangdi to triumph over the other four lords.



　

2.凡军好高而恶下，贵阳而贱阴，养生而处实，军无百疾，是谓必胜。丘陵堤防，必处其阳而右背之，此兵之利，地之助也。上雨水流至，欲涉者，待其定也。



《注释》

1．养生：keep fit, maintain one’s health, preserve one’s health.

2． 处实:部署兵力、安营扎寨的地方要讲究实际。



《白话》

一般来说，军队驻扎总是就高处，避低处，重阳面，避阴面；重视养生之道，选地讲究实际，将士百病不生。这些就是获胜的保障。在丘陵堤防驻扎，必须选择阳面，以此为右翼和后部的依托。这都是军队必备的有利条件，以及地形提供的辅助条件。上游下雨，洪水突至，准备渡河，要等水流平缓再加商定。



《英译》

Generally speaking, force-positioning prefer highlands and hates lowlands and it treasures the sunny side but disdains the night side. So long as the way to keep fit is given much attention and the location for encamping is realistic, the force will remain healthy. If so, triumph will be ensured. When positioning the force in hill areas, sunny side should be selected which can be taken as the support of the right flank and the rear.

All these are the necessary advantages the force need to have and the supplementary conditions which are supplied by the terrain. When it rains above and the river is flooded, those who want to cross should wait for the flood to subside.





3.凡地有绝涧、天井、天牢、天罗、天陷、天隙，必亟去之，勿近也。吾远之，敌近之；吾迎之，敌背之。军旁有险阻、潢井、葭苇、林木、翳荟者，必谨覆索之，此伏奸之所处也。



《注释》

1.潢井：湖泊沼泽地。

2.葭苇：芦苇。

3.翳荟：荟:读“会”，聚集。翳：读“翼”，荫蔽。引申为草木茂盛的地方places screened with luxuriant growth.



《白话》

凡是存在 “绝涧”、“天井”、“天牢”、“天罗”、“天陷”、“天隙”的地方，必须迅速离开，不要接近。对于这些地形，我军要让自己远离，而让敌军去接近；对于这些地形，我军要让自己面向，而让敌军去背靠。军队旁边有险阻、湖沼、芦苇、山林和草木茂盛之地，必须谨慎地反复搜索，这些都是敌军埋伏之地。



《英译》

Wherever there are isolating gorges, natural hollows, natural cages, natural snares, natural traps and natural crevices, the force should leave quickly and never approach. The force should keep far from these areas but direct opponents near them. The force should face them so as to make opponents lie behind them. Whenever adjacent to dangers and difficulties, pounds and mashes, reeds and forests or places screened with luxuriant growth, the force should search repeatedly because these are the places whereat opponents usually lay an ambush.



4.敌近而静者，恃其险也； 远而挑战者，欲人之进也； 其所居易者，利也； 众树动者，来也；众草多障者，疑也； 鸟起者，伏也； 兽骇者，覆也； 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。





《注释》

1.覆：突袭。

2.卑：低。

3.徒：徒步。

4.散而条达：疏散。条达，散乱。

5.樵采：砍柴chop firewood, cut firewood, gather firewood.



《白话》

敌军中靠近我军而又安静的，仰仗的是险要的地形；远离我军而又挑战不休的，是想引诱我军前进；敌军驻扎在平坦之地，是因为有利可图。许多树木在摇动，是敌人正在前来；草丛中有许多遮障物，是敌军布下的疑阵；群鸟惊飞，是下面有伏兵；野兽惊恐奔跑，是敌军大举突袭；尘土高飞，尘柱顶端尖尖，是敌军战车驶来；尘土低飞，尘柱底部宽宽，是敌军的步兵开来；尘土飞散，是敌军在砍柴；尘土少而时起时落；是敌人正在扎营。



《英译》

Among opponents, those who are still and near us rely on strategic locations; those who are far from us and constantly make troubles want to lure us to advance; those who encamp in level grounds think that there are advantages they can find. Many trees are swinging because opponents are coming. There are many shelters because opponents are setting puzzling traps. Birds suddenly fly out because opponents lie there in ambush. Animals run widely because opponents are launching a surprise attack. Dust is flying high with its end sharp because opponents’ are approaching by four-horse-vehicle. Dust is flying low with its end wide because opponents are approaching on foot. Dust is scattering because opponents are chopping firewood. Dust is little because opponents are encamping.



5.辞卑而益备者，进也； 辞强而进驱者，退也； 轻车先出居其侧者，陈也； 无约而请和者，谋也；奔走而陈兵者，期也； 半进半退者，诱也。



《注释》

1．陈：陈兵deploy troops, mass troops.陈兵百万: deploy （or station） a million troops.

2．请和：讲和call for a truce, make peace, negotiate peace, become reconciled. 他俩讲和了。They are reconciled.



《白话》

措辞谦卑却又在加紧备战的，是准备进攻；措辞强硬而又做出前进姿态的，是准备撤退；轻车先出动，部署在两翼的，是在布列阵势；尚未受挫而来讲和的，是另有阴谋；急速奔跑并排列整齐的，是另有期待；半进半退的，是在引诱我军。



《英译》

Those who are humbly worded and intensify war preparation attempt to attack. Those who are strongly worded and put on a pose to advance are really attempting to retreat. Those who send out light vehicles early and occupy both flanks are deploying combat forces in battle array. Those who come to make peace without having met with setbacks embark on other conspiracy. Those who run rapidly in tidy formations expect something else. Those who partially advance and partially retreat are attempting to entice us.



6.杖而立者，饥也； 汲而先饮者，渴也； 见利而不进者，劳也； 鸟集者，虚也； 夜呼者，恐也；军扰者，将不重也； 旌旗动者，乱也； 吏怒者，倦也； 杀马肉食者，军无粮也； 军无悬缸，不返其舍者，穷寇也； 谆谆翕翕，徐与人言者，失众也； 数赏者，窘也； 数罚者，困也；先暴而后畏其众者，不精之至也； 来委谢者，欲休息也。 兵怒而相迎，久而不合，又不相去，必谨察之。



《注释》

1．休息:此处指收兵息战withdraw troops and call off a battle.

2．悬缸：挂起炊具。缸，泛指炊具cooking pot.

3．谆谆翕翕:嘀嘀咕咕murmur. 翕，读“习”。

4．窘：为难，不得已而为之。

5．不精:不精明。精明：astute, sagacious, shrewd. 为人精明：be a man of sagacity.精明的商人：shrewd （or astute） businessman.



《白话》

倚着兵器站立，是饥饿；打水自己先喝，是干渴；见到利益而不进军，是疲劳；营寨上方聚集鸟雀，是营地空虚；夜间惊叫，是恐慌；军队惊扰，是将领没有威严；旌旗摇动，是队伍混乱。敌军官员易怒，是全军筋疲力尽；杀马吃肉，是军中无粮。没有挂起炊具，无意返回营地，是拼死的穷寇；嘀嘀咕咕，讲话低声下气，是失去了人心；不断犒赏，是不得已；不断惩罚，是处境困难；对部下先粗暴后害怕，是最不精明的；派人送礼言好，是想休兵息战；发怒迎战，久不交锋，又不撤退，必须谨慎观察。



《英译》

Those who stand leaning on weapons are hungry. Those who take water and have a drink first are thirsty. Those who do not advance though seeing advantages are tired. If birds gather above camps, the camp is empty. Those who give cry of alarm at night are in dread of something. If the force is disturbed, the commanders are lack of dignity. If the banners and flags are swaying, the force is in a state of chaos. If the commanders of opponents are liable to get angry, the entire force of opponent is tired out. If opponents kill horses and eat their meat, the force is short of food. Those who do not hang cooking pots without attempting go back to camp are tottering foes. If soldiers murmur in a servile manner, they have lost popular support. If troops are constantly given reward, the commanders have no choice but to do this. If troops are frequently punished, the force is in a difficult situation. If commanders roughly treat their subordinates at first and then fear them, this is not astute at all. Those who send people over to negotiate peace are attempting to withdraw troops and call off a battle. Those should be cautiously observed who angrily come to meet us head-on but neither fire at us nor retreat for a long time



7.兵非贵益多也，惟无武进，足以并力料敌,取人而已。夫惟无虑而易敌者，必擒于人。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。故合之以文，齐之以武，是谓必取。令素行以教其民，则民服；令素不行以教其民，则民不服。令素行者，与众相得也。

　　

《注释》

1．贵益多：多多益善the more the better.

2．武进：冒进rashly advance.

3．料：预见foresee.

4。合之以文：以温文尔雅的措施团结一致。

5．齐之以武：以严明的纪律统一思想和行动。

6．相得：融洽harmonious.



《白话》

打仗并非兵力越多越好，只要不去冒进，就足能集中兵力，判明敌情，取人之利。那种既无深谋远虑而又轻敌的人，必定会被敌军擒获。士兵还没有亲近就实行惩罚制度，他们就会不服，不服就难用。士兵已经亲近，如果不执行惩罚制度，就不能用。所以，用温文尔雅的手段使他们思想统一，用威武严明的法纪使他们行动一致，这就是势在必得。平素严格执行法令，管教士卒，士兵就服气；平素不严格执行法令，管教士卒，士兵就不服气。平时法令能贯彻执行，表明官兵相处融洽。



《英译》

As far as troops are concerned in conflicts, it is not the more the better. So long as the force does not rashly advance, it is strong enough to gather troops and foresee opponents and triumph at the end by utilizing the advantages of opponents. Only those who are neither thoughtful nor farsighted but have a tendency to take the enemy lightly will surely be captured by opponents. If penalties are imposed before a close relationship takes form between officers and soldiers, soldiers cannot be heartily convinced. And this sort of soldiers cannot be employed. But if penalties are not imposed after a close relationship takes form between officers and soldiers, the soldiers cannot be employed, too. Hence the gentle measures to make the entire force achieve unity in thought and the strict disciplines to make the entire force act in unison. It is called victories must be won. Rules and orders are always strictly executed and soldiers are very well disciplined, the soldiers are heartily convinced. Or they are not heartily convinced. The case that rules and orders are always strictly executed indicates that the relationship between officers and soldiers is rather harmonious.





地形篇第十



Chapter Ten： Terrain Situation



1.孙子曰：地形有通者，有挂者，有支者，有隘者，有险者，有远者。我可以往，彼可以来，曰通。通形者，先居高阳，利粮道，以战则利。可以往，难以返，曰挂。挂形者，敌无备，出而胜之；敌若有备，出而不胜，难以返，不利。我出而不利，彼出而不利，曰支。支形者，敌虽利我, 我无出也；引而去之，令敌半出而击之，利。隘形者，我先居之，必盈之以待敌；若敌先居之，盈而勿从，不盈而从之。险形者，我先居之，必居高阳以待敌；若敌先居之，引而去之，勿从也。远形者，势均难以挑战，战而不利。凡此六者，地之道也。将之至任，不可不察也。



《注释》

1．隘：狭窄narrow. 关隘pass.

2．盈：封锁seal off, close off, blockage. 封锁线blockade line. 解除封锁raise a blockade.

3．从：出击five a challenge to, make an assault, launch an attack, sally out. 向包围者出击：sally out against the besiegers.

4．至任：到职assume office, taking up post.



《白话》

孙子说：地形有通形、挂形、支形、隘形、险形、远形六种。我可以去，敌可以来的，叫通形。在通形地区，要抢先占领隆高向阳之处，确保粮道畅通，这样与敌交战就有利。可以前往而难以返回的，叫挂形。在挂形地区，敌若无备，出击则能胜；敌若有备，出击则不能取胜，又难以返回，就不利。我方出击不利，敌方出击也不利的，叫支形。在支形地区，敌虽以利诱我，我也不要出击，而要率部撤离，待敌方出来一半时再攻击，就有利。在隘形地区，我若首先占领，一定要封锁隘口以等待敌人的到来；如果敌方首先占据，并已封锁隘口，就不要去攻打，若还没有封锁隘口，就可以攻打。在险形地区，我若首先占领，一定要占领隆高向阳之处，以待敌方到来；敌若首先占领，那就率部离去，不要攻打。在远形地区，双方地势均等，难以挑战，战也不利。上述六条，是利用地形的一般原则，将帅到任后，不可不认真考察。



《英译》

Sun Tzu said: There are six forms of terrain, namely, accessible, entangled, indecisive, narrow, precipitous and distant. An area which can be freely traversed by both sides is called accessible. In an accessible area, the first thing to do is to occupy the sunny highlands and ensure a smooth path of provisions. A challenge then will be advantageous. An area which it is possible to go to but difficult to back from is called entangled. In an entangled area, if opponent makes no preparation, triumph is ensured in challenge. Otherwise, triumph is not ensured in challenge. Worse of, it is difficult to go back. Therefore, the challenge will be disadvantageous. An area whereat it is disadvantageous for both sides to launch attacks is call indecisive. In an indecisive area, we do not launch any attacks even if opponent lures us with advantages. What we should do is to lead the force to retreat and wait for the opponent and launch an attack on them when they partially come out. It is advantageous to do so. In a narrow area, we must occupy it first and seal off the passes and lie in wait for the opponent to come. If the opponent occupies it first and seals off the passes, we should not give a challenge to the opponent. But if the passes have not been sealed off, we can challenge the opponent to fight. In a precipitous area, if we occupy it first, we should capture the sunny highlands so as to wait for the opponent. If the opponent occupies it, we should lead the force to leave without giving a challenge. In a distant area, both sides are equal so it is difficult to give a challenge to the opponent. Even if we fight, it is still disadvantageous to us. The above mentioned six points are the general rule for utilizing various terrains. It is the greatest duty for commanders to study them carefully after taking up post.





2．故兵有走者，有弛者，有陷者，有崩者，有乱者，有北者。凡此六者，非天之灾，将之过也。夫势均，以一击十，曰走。卒强吏弱，曰弛。吏强卒弱，曰陷。大吏怒而不服，遇敌怼而自战，将不知其能，曰崩。将弱不严，教道不明，吏卒无常，陈兵纵横，曰乱。将不能料敌, 以少合众，以弱击强，兵无选锋，曰北。凡此六者，败之道也。将之至任，不可不察也。



《注释》

1．走：敌我双方势均力敌，却偏要以一击十，最终导致弃甲曳兵而逃，因此叫“走”flight.

2．松：士卒暴躁而将帅懦弱，军政弛坏，不能统辖管束，指挥松散无力，因此叫“弛”insubordination.

3．陷：将帅暴躁而士卒懦弱，一旦与敌交战，将帅独身奋力，则势必为下属所累而陷于败局，因此叫“陷”collapse.

4．崩：将帅怨怒而不服主将之命，遇敌怒火万丈而擅自出战，主将却不知他的才能，如大山自内部崩坏，因此叫“崩”disintegration.

5．将帅懦弱缺乏威严，管教毫无章法，官兵关系紧张失常，布兵列阵又杂乱不整，因此叫“乱”disorder.

6．北：将帅不能正确判断敌情，却偏想以少胜多、以弱击强，但却不去选拔精锐部队，这必然要败北，因此叫“北”desertion.



《白话》

所以军事上有走、弛、陷、崩、乱和北六种情况。这六种情况，并非由天灾所致，而是由将帅过失造成。势均力敌，却要以一击十，这叫走。兵强将弱，这叫弛。将强兵弱，这叫陷。将怨怒而不服主帅之命，遇敌愤怒而擅自出战，主帅又不知其才能，这叫崩。将弱缺乏威严，管教无法，官兵关系不正常，布兵列阵杂乱无章，这叫乱。将帅不能正确判断敌情，以少击众、以弱击强，选兵不精，这叫北。以上六种情况，都是战败的原因，将帅到任，不可不认真考察。



《英译》

Therefore, there are six cases among strategies, namely, flight, insubordination, collapse, disintegration, disorder, desertion. All these do not come from natural catastrophes but from the mistakes of commanders. Both sides are equal, but we attempt to attack on ten by one. It is called flight. Troops are strong but commanders are weak. It is called insubordination. Commanders are strong but soldiers are weak. It is called collapse. Commanders are angry and do not obey orders from the chief commander. When meeting with enemy, they are in a rage and arbitrarily launch an attack. But the chief commander knows nothing about his capacity. It is called disintegration. The commanders are weak and lack of dignity. They don’t know how to discipline the soldiers. Therefore the relationship between officers and soldiers is abnormal. As a result, when deploying combat forces in battle array, all things are in a mess. It is called disorder. Commanders cannot well judge the opponent’s situation. He let the few engage the numerous and let the weak engage the strong. And he does not select soldiers perfectly. It is called desertion. The above mentioned six points are all the reasons for losing the war. It is the greatest duty for commanders to study them carefully after taking up post.



3．夫地形者，兵之助也。料敌制胜，计险易、远近，上将之道也。知此而用战者必胜，不知此而用战者必败。



《注释》

1．料敌：预见foresee.

2．上将之道：高明的将帅必须遵循的法则。高明：brilliant, bright ,clever, superior.高明的见解：brilliant （or bright） idea.高明的办法：clever way.高明的技术：superior （or advanced） skill. 比别人高明：superior to other people; cleverer than other people; smarter than other people. 另请高明：I suggest you get someone better qualified.



《白话》

地形是作战的辅助条件。判断敌情以克敌制胜，考察地形险易，计算路途远近，这是高明将帅的用兵法则。明白这一点，作战必胜；不明白这一点，作战必败。



《英译》

In a conflict, terrain is a supplementary condition. Foresee the opponent’s situation so as to defeat the opponent and win the victory. Observe the terrain to find out whether it is precipitous or easy. Calculate the distance to find out whether it is far or near. All these are the rules for smart commanders to go by. Those who fully know these rules and then execute them will certainly win. Or they will certainly lose.



4．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。故进不求名，退不避罪，唯民是保，而利合于主，国之宝也。



《注释》

1．战道：作战的法则rule for engaging a war.

2．利合于主：符合君主的利益tally with the basic interests of the lord.

符合：conform to, tally with, accord with, be in keeping with, agree with.注意：tally with强调互相一致；accord with强调互相适合。其余各次均兼有二义。他的话符合事实。What he says tallies （agrees） with facts. 符合人民的利益：accord with （be in keeping with）the interests of the people. 符合国家政策：be in line with the national policy. 符合标准：be up to the standard.



《白话》

根据一般作战规律，如有必胜把握，即使国君不让打，也可以坚决打；但根据一般作战规律，没有必胜把握，即使国君要打，也可以不打。因此，进攻不求名，退兵不避罪，只求保全民众，符合国君根本利益，这样的将帅才堪称国宝。



《英译》

According to the general rules in war time, so long as you have full confidence in your victory, you can make challenge resolutely even if the lord does not let you fight. Yet, again, according to the general rules in war time, so long as you don’t have full confidence in your victory, you can refuse to make challenge even if the lord orders you to fight. Therefore, making challenge not to seek fame and retreating not to evade blames, you do everything only for securing the masses and tallying what you do with the basic interests of the lord. Only this sort of generals can be considered as national treasures.



5．视卒如婴儿，故可与之赴深蹊；视卒如爱子，故可与之俱死。厚而不能使，爱而不能令，乱而不能治，譬若骄子，不可用也。



《注释》

1．蹊: 读“西”，小路path.如司马迁在《史记》中评价李广将军时说：桃李不言，下自成蹊。是说李广品德高尚，如同桃李芬芳，虽然不说话，但人们纷纷前往欣赏，以致树下面的地上，日久天长，都走出小路了。此处指溪谷valley.

2．厚：厚待，指纵容迁就indulge.

3．骄子：受溺爱而变坏的孩子。娇生惯养spoil.



《白话》

将士兵视同婴儿，就可以和他们共患难；将士兵视同爱子，就可以和他们同生死。但一味厚养而不能使唤，一味宠爱而不能指挥，违法乱纪而不能整治，那就有如同娇生惯养的孩子，不能用。



《英译》

Regarding soldiers as babies, commanders can go with them into the deepest valleys.

Regarding soldiers as offspring, commanders can share life and death with them. Yet, if they are always indulged but cannot be employed, if they are always doted on but cannot be directed, if they always violate the law and discipline but cannot be brought under control, they cannot be employed like spoiled children.



6．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。故知兵者，动而不迷，举而不穷。故曰：知彼知己，胜乃不殆；知地知天，胜乃可全。



《注释》

1．可以击：可以出击able to confront.

2．不可以击：易于失败vulnerable，不堪一击cannot stand（withstand） a single blow.

3．胜乃可全：大获全胜gain a full （complete） victory; win a sweeping （crushing or overwhelming victory.



《白话》

只知道自己的部队能打，而不知道敌方是否不堪一击，获胜的可能只有一半；只知道敌方可以打，而不知道自己部队是否不堪一击，获胜的可能也只有一半；知道敌方可以打，也知道自己部队能打，但不知道地形不利于作战，获胜的可能也只有一半。所以，会打仗的人，行动不迷不惑，措施无穷无尽。因此说，了解对方，也了解自己，就能确保胜利；如果再了解天时地利，就能大获全胜。



《英译》

Those who only know their own team is able to confront but do not know if the opponent team is vulnerable are but halfway to triumph. Those who only know the opponent team is able to confront but do not know if their own team is vulnerable are also but halfway to triumph. Those who only know the opponent team is able to confront and their own team is also able to confront but do not know the terrain is disadvantageous are also but half way to triumph. So those who are skilled in war are not puzzling in action but able to verify all sorts of measures. Therefore, those who well know both themselves and the opponent can secure triumph. If they also know something about favorable climate and geographical positions, they can gain a full victory.



九地篇第十一



Eographic Situations



1．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，有圮地，有围地，有死地。诸侯自战其地，为散地。入人之地而不深者，为轻地。我得则利，彼得亦利者，为争地。我可以往，彼可以来者，为交地。诸侯之地三属，先至而得天下之众者，为衢地。入人之地深，背城邑多者，为重地。行山林、险阻、沮泽，凡难行之道者，为圮地。所由入者隘，所从归者迂，彼寡可以击吾之众者，为围地。疾战则存，不疾战则亡者，为死地。



《注释》

1．散地：懒散之地，简称“散地”idle.

2．交地：可通过谈判搞交际之地，简称“交地”negotiable.

3．衢地：读“渠”，大道。各方通行的交通要道，简称“衢地”intersecting.

4．沮泽：江河湖汊，水网纵横crisscross waterways.

5．圮地：读受阻之地，简称“圮地”obstructed.



《白话》

孙子说：按照用兵的一般法则，战地状况可分为九种：散地、轻地、争地、交地、衢地、重地、圮地、围地、死地。在我境内作战的，叫散地。进入敌境不远之处作战的，叫轻地。我军占领对我有利，敌军占领也对敌有利的，叫争地。我军可以去，而敌军也可以来的，叫交地。有多国交界，先到就能赢得多数诸侯支持的，叫衢地。深入敌境，背后城邑已经很多的，叫重地。山高林密、充满艰难险阻、水网纵横，凡难以通行的，叫圮地。进军之路狭隘，回归之路迂远，敌方可以少击众的，叫围地。疾速进战就可以存活，不疾速进战就可能败亡的，叫死地。



《英译》

Sun Tzu said: generally, according to the art of war, battlefields can be sorted into nine categories, namely, idle area, simple area, competitive area, negotiable area, intersecting area, serious area, obstructed area, surrounded area, and desperate area. Idle area means that we engage a war within our own territory, the situation is idle. Simple area means that we engage a war when we have not yet deeply penetrated the opponent’s territory. Competitive area means that it is to our advantage if we occupy it and at the same time it is also to the opponent’s advantage if the opponent occupies it. Negotiable area means that we can go there and the opponent can come from there, too. Intersecting area means that there is a boundary line linking many countries and those who arrive there first can win support from many lords. Serious area means that we have deeply penetrated the opponent’s territory with many fortifications behind. Obstructed area means that there are many high mountains and dense forests with difficulties and dangers as well as crisscross waterways. As a result, it is too difficult to be penetrated. Surrounded area means that the routes for advancing are too narrow but the routes for retreating are too devious and distant. And the opponent can fight against the numerous by the few. Desperate area means that so long as you make challenge quickly you can survive, otherwise, you will be defeated.



2． 是故散地则无战，轻地则无止，争地则无攻，交地则无绝，衢地则合交，重地则掠，圮地则行，围地则谋，死地则战。



《注释》

1．合交:注意交际。交际social intercourse, communication.他善于交际。He is a good mixer. 或He is socially active.忙于交际：busy with social activities.

2．掠：掠夺，掠取rob, plunder, pillage, loot.注意：rob指一般的抢劫；plunder, pillage, loot都常指大规模掠夺，尤其指战争中的掠夺，其中plunder为通用词，pillage比较正式而少用；loot则指匆忙地、无组织地，甚至毫无目的地盗窃或掠取。掠夺他人财：rob somebody of his money.掠夺殖民地人民：plunder the people of the colonial countries. 掠夺他国的资源：plunder other countries of their resources; plunder the resources of other countries.一群暴徒砸碎商店橱窗，把陈列品都抢走了。A gang of ruffians broke store windows and looted the displays.



《白话》

因此，散地内不宜作战；轻地内不宜停留；争地内不宜进攻；交地内不宜断敌通道；衢地内要注意交际；重地内凭借强掠；圮地内要迅速通过；围地内要设计脱困；死地内要奋战求生。



《英译》

Therefore, it is improper to fight in idle area; it is improper to stay in simple area; it is improper to launch attack in competitive area; it is improper to cut off opponent’s passageway in negotiable area; communication must be paid attention to in intersecting area; forcibly plundering is necessary in serious area; passing through quickly is necessary in obstructed area; it is important to try to free oneself from predicaments; one must fight to remain alive in desperate area.



3．所谓古之善用兵者，能使敌人前后不相及，众寡不相恃，贵贱不相救，上下不相收，卒离而不集，兵合而不齐。合于利而动，不合于利而止。





《注释》

1．不相及:脱钩，脱节。

2．贵贱：官兵officers and soldiers； 聪明人和缺乏经验的人talented and inexperienced.

3．兵合而不齐：勉强凑合在一起也杂乱无章。齐：deploy combat forces in tidy battle array.



《白话》

所谓古时善于用兵打仗的人，能使敌方前后脱节，大兵团不能和小部队协同依持，官兵不能相互救援，上下不能收拢，士兵离散不能集中，集中不能齐整。总之，有利则打，不利则停。



《英译》

The ancient people who were skilled in fighting could make the front and the rear of the opponent divorced from each other, could make the numerous and the few unable to support each other; could make the numerous and the few unable to rely on each other; could make officers and soldiers unable to rescue each other; could make the superior and inferior unable to drawn in; could make soldiers separated but unable to gather; could make soldiers unable to deploy combat forces in tidy battle array. In a word, with unity, it is advantageous to move; without unity, it is advantageous to stop.



4．敢问：敌众整而将来，待之若何？曰：先夺其所爱，则听矣。



《注释》

1．众整：人多势众overwhelming with numerical strength

2．夺其所爱：夺seize. 其实含消灭之义，因此可以翻译成wipe out. 所爱:最依赖、最依恋、最器重的deepest attachment.



《白话》

请问：“若敌方人多势众前来进攻，该如何应对呢？”回答是：“先消灭敌方最器重的部队，它就会听从我方摆布。”



《英译》

Venture to ask: “What if the opponents come to fight by means of overwhelming with numerical strength?” I say: “Wipe out their deepest attachment and they will comply.”



5．兵之情主速，乘人之不及，由不虞之道，攻其所不戒也。



《注释》

1．不及：猝不及防caught off guard.

2．不虞：没有准备.

3．不戒：疏于防范neglect taking precautions. 疏于职守be negligent of one’s duties.



《白话》

用兵打仗主要依靠快速，乘敌猝不及防，沿着其意想不到路线，攻击其疏于防备之处。



《英译》

In conflicts, high-speed presides over everything. Let the opponent caught off guard and take the route to the opponent’s surprise and attack where the opponent neglects taking precautions.



6．凡为客之道：深入则专，主人不克；掠于饶野，三军足食；谨养而勿劳，并气积力；运兵计谋，为不可测。



《注释》

1．掠: 此处特指搜集征收粮秣，因此用forage.

2．不可测：高深莫测too deep （or profound） to fathom; to be unfathomable.高深的学识：profound（or deep） knowledge.学问高深的人：a person of profound learning.高深的造诣：high attainment.造诣高深的音乐家：a highly accomplished musician.



《白话》

进入敌国作战的一般原则是：深入敌境，集中兵力，我方就不可战胜；在敌方富饶的乡村抄掠，全军就会粮草充足；要切实注意部队的保养而不要劳顿，以增强士气，养精蓄锐，部署兵力，巧设计谋，使敌方感到我方高深莫测。



《英译》

Generally, the strategy of adventures in territory of the opponent is as follows. Focusing strength after penetrating, we shall be invincible. Foraging in the abundant countryside, the entire force will have sufficient food. Take good care of the troops’ health and don’t let them tired so that to let their strength of spirit merge and accumulate. While deploying forces, skillfully hatch up a plot in order to make opponent feels that we are too deep to fathom.



7．投之无所往，死且不北；死，焉不得士人尽力？兵士甚陷则不惧，无所往则固, 深入则拘，不得已则斗。是故其兵不修而戒，不求而得，不约而亲，不令而信，禁祥去疑，至死无所之。



《注释》

1．戒：戒备guard; be on the alert; keep a sharp lookout （for）; take a keen lookout （for）.戒备森严：Be heavily guarded. 时刻戒备： Be always on the alert; keep a sharp lookout all the time.

2．拘：拘束，束手束脚timid and hesitant.

3．禁祥去疑: 禁止迷信，禁止妖言惑众。禁止：forbid; prohibit; ban.禁止某人做某事：forbid someone to do something; prohibit someone from doing something.注意：forbid比较随便，常用于个人关系之间的禁止；prohibit比较正式，一般用于以法律或命令的禁止；ban指用命令禁止，常用于文学艺术作品的禁止出版或上演。另请注意一些标语警示的灵活用法。禁止拍照。Cameras are forbidden. 禁止停车。Parking forbidden! （No parking!）禁止入内。No admittance.禁止通行。No thoroughfare.

4．至死无所之：至死不败退。败退：retreat in defeat; be defeated and retreat. 节节败退：crumble and retreat in one defeat after another.



《白话》

将部众置于无路可走的绝境，他们就会誓死不败；誓死如归，将士哪能不奋力作战呢？深陷危境，士兵就毫不恐惧；走投无路，士兵就心专志固，不会动摇；深入重地，就会束手束脚，迫不得已才会拼命死战。所以，这样的军队不经调教就会自行戒备；不用要求就能积极完成任务；无需约束就能亲和团结；不待号令就能信服；禁止妖祥迷信，消除惑人之谈，他们就至死也不会败退。



《英译》

Driven into a dilemma whereat there is no way out, soldiers will swear to die rather than to be defeated. If they regard death as if they were returning home, how can they refuse to fight bravely? Located in a dangerous area, soldiers will fear nothing. If there is no way out for them, they will concentrate their attention and will not move. Located in a serious area, they will be timid and hesitant. Only feeling that there is no alternative, can they wage a life-and-death battle. Therefore, this sort of troops can be on the alert voluntarily without being taught and trained, can actively accomplish their tasks without being requested, can have a close relationship with others and unite them without being bound by discipline, can be convinced without being ordered, can refuse superstition and forbid others to spread fallacies to mislead people. If so, they will not retreat in defeat onto death.



8．吾士无余财，非恶货也；无余命，非恶寿也。令发之日，士卒坐者涕沾襟，偃卧者涕交颐。投之无所往者，诸、刿之勇也。



《注释》

1．专诸：春秋末吴国棠邑人。刺客，以勇义闻名。

2．曹刿:读“贵”，春秋时期鲁国人。他曾准备去见鲁庄公，要求参加抗齐的战争。有人劝曹刿说：“国家大事，有当大官的操心，您何必去插手呢？” 曹刿说：“当大官的目光短浅，不能深谋远虑。”于是进宫廷去见庄公



《白话》

我军将士没有多余的钱财，并不是厌恶财物；他们战死沙场，并不是不想长命百岁。当作战命令发布之日，士兵们坐着的泪洒衣襟，仰卧的泪流满面。将他们置于无路可走的绝境，就会像专诸和曹刿那样勇敢杀敌。



《英译》

Our officers and soldiers do not have superfluous money but it does not mean that they are disgusted with money. They fight to their last breath in battlefields but it does not mean that they do not want to live longer. On the day when orders are issued to fight, those soldiers sat there with tears watering their clothes while other soldiers laid there with tears streaming down their cheeks. Driving them into a desperate situation, they will bravely fight against enemies as Zhuan Zhu and Cao Gui.



9．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。敢问：“兵可使如率然乎？”曰：“可。”夫吴人与越人相恶也，当其同舟而济遇风，其相救也如左右手。是故方马埋轮，未足恃也；齐勇若一，政之道也；刚柔皆得，地之理也。故善用兵者，携手若使一人，不得已也。



《注释》

1．方马埋轮：把战马链接成阵，掉车轮。

2．政之道：治理军队的道理。治理：管理govern, administer; 控制control, bring something under control.治理国家administer a country. 治理河流bring waters under control. 治理军队administer the army. 但治理军队强调控制，因此用army-controlling比较恰当。

3．刚柔：地势险峻或一马平川。险峻precipitous. 一马平川flat lands.



《白话》

善于指挥作战的人，其部队就像率然一样。率然是恒山的一种蛇，打它的头部，尾部就来救应；打它的尾部，头部就来救应；打它的腹部，头部和尾部都来救应。请问：“可以使军队像率然那样吗？”回答是：“可以。”吴国人和越国人虽彼此相互仇视，但当他们同舟共济时，相互救援就如同人的左右手。因此，并联战马和掩埋车轮来表示阵法的严整和稳固是靠不住的；能使三军将士同心协力，英勇顽强，才是治军的原则。地形无论险易都能充分利用，这是掌握地理条件的原则。所以，善于用兵打仗的人，能使三军将士携手团结宛如一人，这也是不得已而为之。



《英译》

Those who are good at executing art of war are like Shuai Ran. Shuai Ran is a sort of snake in Changshan Mountains. Hit in its head, its tail will come. Hit in its tail, its head will come. Hit it mid part, both its head and its tail come. Venture to ask,“Can we deploy forces like Shuai Ran?”I say, “Yes.” Although the people of Wu and Yue hate each other, yet they help each other in distress like left hand and right hand. Therefore, it is not reliable to link battle horses together and bury the wheels of four-horse vehicles so as to indicate the tidiness and stability of their battle array. Only letting all officers and soldiers of the entire force unite as one is the very basic principle of army controlling. All terrains can be utilized no matter they are precipitous or flat. It is the principle to master the features of terrain. Therefore, those who are skilled in executing art of war have the ability to unite the entire force as one. But they have no choice but to do this after all.



10．将军之事，静以幽，正以治。能愚士卒之耳目，使之无知；易其事，革其谋，使人无识；易其居，迂其途，使人不得虑。帅与之期，如登高而去其梯，帅与之深入诸侯之地而发其机, 焚舟破釜，若驱群羊，驱而往，驱而来，莫知所之。聚三军之众，投之于险，此谓将军之事也。九地之变，屈伸之利，人情之理，不可不察也。



《注释》

1．静以幽：冷静深思be calm and think deeply about something.

2．易其事，革其谋: 易事革谋，事情和谋略经常变动。

3．易其居：换防relieve a garrison, garrison relief.

4．机：命令。

5．破釜沉舟：可引申翻译成“置之于困境”drive someone into a predicament.困境：difficult position, plight, dilemma, predicament.摆脱困境：extricate oneself from a difficult position （or dilemma）.



《白话》

作为统帅，要冷静深思，考虑治军之策。要能蒙蔽士兵耳目，不让他们知道军政大事；临时变动，随时更改计划，令人无从得知；经常换防，故意绕道行军，令人难以捉摸。对部众下达命令，就如同登高而抽掉梯子那样切断后路。将帅统率部队深入敌国而发出战斗命令，就要破釜沉舟，像驱赶羊群，驱过来，赶过去，不知究竟要到哪里去。聚拢三军部众，将其置于险境，这就是统帅的要务。地理环境变化，攻防策略，人情世故，将帅不可不考察。



《英译》

A commander should always be calm and good at thinking deeply about something so as to focus his attention on the policies of army-controlling. He should hoodwink soldiers lest they should know the major events in the army. Plans should be changed at any time lest anyone should know the truth. Garrison relief should frequently be done and forces should make detours so as to make things unfathomable. When issuing orders to subordinates, he should cut off the route of retreat like taking the ladder away during a height-climbing. When leading the troops to penetrate into the enemy’s area and issuing combat orders, he should direct them to go and come busily just like driving sheep lest they should know where they should go. After gather the entire force together, he should drive them into a dangerous situation. This is the major task of a commander. As for the matters such as the changes of situations, the tactics of defense and offense, the ways of the world, a commander must observe them carefully.



11．凡为客之道，深则专，浅则散。去国越境而师者，绝地也。 四达者，衢地也。入深者，重地也。入浅者，轻地也。背固前隘者，围地也。无所往者，死地也。



《注释》

1．专：专心致志concentrate one’s attention..

2．散：精力涣散，分心divert one’s attention; distract. 家务使他分心。Household chores distract him from work.



《白话》

客场作战的一般规律是：深入敌境，部众就专心致志；浅入敌境，部队就人心涣散。离开本国进入敌境作战的，就是绝地。四通八地的，是衢地。深入敌境的，是重地。浅入敌境的，是轻地。背后险固而面前受阻的，是围地。走投无路的，是死地。



《英译》

Generally, the strategies for adventures in the enemy’s area is that deep penetrations make troops concentrate their attention while superficial penetrations divert their attention. Those who leave their own country and penetrate into the enemy’s area to fight are in desperate situation. The area accessible from all directions is an intersecting situation. The area whereat deep penetration can be made is a serious situation. The area whereat superficial penetration can be made is a simple situation. The area which rear is precipitous and which front is blocked is a surrounded situation. The area whereat there is no way out is a desperate situation.



12．是故散地，吾将一其志；轻地，吾将使之属；争地，吾将趋其后；交地，吾将谨其守；衢地，吾将固其结；重地，吾将继其食；圮地，吾将进其途；围地，吾将塞其阙；死地，吾将示之以不活。故兵之情，围则御，不得已则斗，过则从。



《注释》

1．过则从：陷入困境就言听计从。陷入困境：find oneself in a difficult position.言听计从：take somebody’s advice readily; be always ready to accept somebody’s advice; have complete faith in somebody.

2．兵之情: 兵的心理状态mental state.



《白话》

所以，散地内要使部队专心致志；轻地内要使部队急速行进；争地内要使落后者快速跟进；交地内要谨慎防守；衢地内，要加强与别国的交往；重地内要掠敌求食；圮地内要赶快通过；围地内，要堵塞缺口；死地内要显示必死的决心。部队心理状况就是：遭围困要想抵抗；迫不得已要决一死战；深陷危境，就会言听计从。



《英译》

So in idle area, commanders should try to make troops concentrate their attention. In simple area, they should make troops advance quickly. In competitive area, they should urge those who lagged behind to catch up with the people ahead of them. In negotiable area, they should cautiously hold their position. In intersecting area, they should strengthen their association with other countries. In serious area, they should forage so as to secure their provisions. In obstructed area, they should pass through quickly. In surrounded area, they should stop gaps. In desperate area, they should show the determination to die. The mental state of the troops is that they should attempt to resist when besieged; they should wage a life-and-death struggle when there is other choice; they will have complete faith in the commanders when they find them in a dangerous situation.



13．是故不知诸侯之谋者，不能预交；不知山林、险阻、沮泽之形者，不能行军；不用乡导者，不能得地利。四五者, 不知一，非霸王之兵也。夫霸王之兵，伐大国，则其众不得聚；威加于敌，则其交不得合。是故不争天下之交，不养天下之权，信己之私，威加于敌，故其城可拔，其国可隳。



《注释》

1．四五者：四加五，等于九。

2．霸王之兵：超强之兵superior force. 这里指超强的统帅。

3．众不得聚：兵数不能增长。

4．交不得合：盟国不能策应。策应：move in coordination with; act in concert with.

5．信己之私: 相信自己。

6．隳：同堕，读“灰”，毁灭ruin, destroy.



《白话》

因此不了解诸侯的战略意图，就不能去结交；不熟悉山林、险阻、沼泽等地理环境，就不能行军；不用当地向导，就不能得地利。如上九个方面的事，如果有一项不知道，就不能算是“霸王之兵”。所谓“霸王之兵”，讨伐大国时能使阻止敌方兵力增多；把兵威强加给敌方，能使其无法得到盟国的配合策应。所以，即使不争着与天下诸侯结交，也不在天下诸侯间蓄养自己的权势，只要相信自己，只要把兵威强加于敌，就可以攻克其城邑，毁灭其国家。



《英译》

Therefore, if you do not know the strategic plans of other lords you should not to associate with them; if you are not familiar with the conditions of mountains and forests, dangers and difficulties, mashes and waterways, you should not move your forces; if you do not use local guides, you cannot benefit from the geographic advantages. As far as the above mentioned nine items are concerned, even if there is only one item you do not well know, you cannot be considered as a superior commander. As a superior commander, in attacks on large countries, you should be able to prevent the numbers of their troops from growing. You should force your high prestige on the opponents so that their ally cannot act in concert with them. So, even if you neither want to associate with other lords nor attempt to accumulate power and influence among the lords of the world, you can still uproot their fortifications and ruin their countries so long as you are firmly convince in yourself and impress your military prestige on your opponents.



14．施无法之赏，悬无政之令，犯三军之众，若使一人。犯之以事，勿告以言；犯之以利，勿告以害。投之亡地然后存，陷之死地然后生。夫众陷于害，然后能为胜败。



《注释》

1．无法之赏：不必顾及原则颁发奖赏。

2．无政之令：不必顾及政治下达法令。

3．犯三军之众: 犯：行使、利用、役使wield，此处引申为指挥。

4．犯之以事：让他们做事。

5．犯之以利：让他们争取有利条件。

6．勿告以害：不告诉他们不利后果。

7．陷于害：陷于危险境地。



《白话》

不必考虑原则而颁奖，不必考虑政治而下令。指挥全军如同指使一个人。只让他们做事，不向他们说明；只让他们去争取有利条件，而不告诉他们其中的危害。把他们投入困境，他们就会拼命求活；置他们于死地，他们反而会死里求生。军队陷于危难之地，反而能转败为胜。



《英译》

Grant rewards without regarding principles, and issue orders without regarding politics. Wield the entire force like one person. Wield them to do without telling them why. Wield them to achieve advantages without telling them the disadvantages. Force them to thrust into perilous areas, they will seek to survive. Drive them into desperate areas they will do their upmost to live. Located in dangerous situations, they can turn defeat into victory instead.



15．故为兵之事，在于佯顺敌之意，并敌一向，千里杀将。此谓巧能成事者也。



《注释》

1．佯顺：假装顺从pretend to to.

2．并敌一向：并，集中兵力。一向，一点。即，集中兵力，攻敌一点。



《白话》

所以，用兵打仗这种事，关键在于假装顺从敌人的意图，然后集中兵力，攻敌一点,千里奔袭，擒杀敌将。这就是所说的妙计能成大事。



《英译》

So, when executing art of war, the key problem is to pretend to to the opponent’s attempt and then concentrate forces to attack on one point of the opponent. Even if go a thousand miles, the opponent’s commander must be captured. This is called clever plans can accomplish great cause.



16．是故政举之日，夷关折符，无通其使，厉于廊庙之上，以诛其事。敌人开阖，必亟入之，先其所爱，微与之期，践墨随敌，以决战事。是故，始如处女，敌人开户，后如脱兔，敌不及拒。



《注释》

1．政举：开战。

2．夷关：封锁关口。

3．厉于廊庙之上：在庙堂上召开誓师大会，激励士气。

4．诛其事：商讨此事。

5．开阖：开口，指有可乘之机。

6．先其所爱：先攻击敌方最受器重，最有指望的部队。

7．微与之期：不与敌方约定打战日期。

8．践墨：打破陈规。



《白话》

因此，开战之日，要关口封锁，通行证作废，不与敌国使节往来。在庙堂誓师，以励三军，商讨战争决策。敌方一旦打开城门，必须迅速攻入，抢先消灭其最受器重的部队，而不必约期会战。无须墨守成规，计划要因敌而变，以决定作战方针。所以，开始如处女；敌方开战后，须像脱网之兔那样迅速行动，使敌方猝不及防。



《英译》

So on the day to wage a war, we should close the outside, void the passes and cut off contact with envoys of the opponent. An oath-taking rally should be held in the temple to give a boost to the moral of the entire force. Those at headquarters should carefully discuss the strategies. Once the opponent opens a doorway, we should rapidly penetrate it and try to be the first to wipe out the opponent’s deepest attachments. In conflicts, it is unnecessary to make an appointment with the opponent. It is unnecessary to cling to established practices. Plans should be changed according to the opponent’s situation so as to decide the strategies. Therefore, at the beginning, our force must be quiet as virgins. Once the opponent opens fire, our force must take swift actions as rabbits free from net. Hence the opponent will be caught off guard.



火攻篇第十二

Chapter Twelve: Fiery Attack



1．孙子曰：凡火攻有五：一曰火人，二曰火积，三曰火辎，四曰火库，五曰火队。



《注释》

1．人：人马，指部队forces.

2．积:粮草provisions.

3．辎：武器weapon, weaponry （总体而言）。

4．队：只车队，此处指运输transport.



《白话》

孙子说：一般来说，火攻形式有五种：一是烧人马；二是烧粮草；三是烧兵器；四是烧其仓库；五是烧车队。



《英译》

Sun Tzu said: generally speaking, there are five fiery attacks: the first is fire in forces; the second is fire in provisions; the third is fire in weaponry; the fourth is fire in treasury; the fifth is fire in transport.



2．行火必有因，烟火必素具。发火有时，起火有日。时者，天之燥也；日者，月在箕、壁、翼、轸也。凡此四宿者，风起之日也。



《注释》

1．行火必有因，烟火必素具：汉简本作“火有因，因必素具”，“火”前残缺一字，推测为“行”字。因此“行火必有因，因必素具”似乎更为合理。“行火”，火攻。“因”指引火之物tinder.“素具”是说平时做准备。“素”，平时peacetime.

2．发火：放火set fire.

3．起火：点火light, kindle, ignite.

5．箕、壁、翼、轸: 二十八宿之四。我国古代天文学家把天空中可见的星分成二十八组，叫做二十八宿，东西南北四方各七宿。照此看来，每一组叫一宿，而每一宿，就是一个star group.



《白话》

火攻必有引火物，平时就要准备。放火要有定时，点火要有定日。定时是指气候干燥；定日是指月球行经箕、壁、翼、轸四个星座的日期。月球行经这四个星座时，就是风起的日子。



《英译》

In fiery attacks, tinder is needed when kindling and tinder must be well prepared in peacetime. Setting fire needs a regular time; kindling needs a regular day. Regular time means weather is dry. Regular day means the day when moon goes among the following four star-groups, namely, Qi, Bi, Yi and Zhen. And on this day, a wind starts.



3．凡火攻，必因五火之变而应之。火发于内，则早应之于外。火发而其兵静者，待而勿攻；极其火力，可从而从之，不可从而止。火可发于外，无待于内，以时发之。火发上风，无攻下风。昼风久，夜风止。凡军必知有五火之变，以数守之。



《注释》

1．极其火力：火势已尽the fire comes to an end.

2．从：攻attack.

3．以时：根据时机opportunity.

4．以数守之：即按火攻应遵循的自然规律把握火攻的时机。杜牧注曰：“须算星躔之数，守风起日，乃可发火，不可偶然而为之。”



《白话》

凡是火攻，必须根据五种火攻的变化做出反应。在敌方内部放火，须及早从外边接应；火已烧起，敌方仍保持安静，要等待，不要进攻；等火势已尽，可攻就攻，不可攻就停。也可从外面放火，不必等待内应，可根据时间而定。火要在上风点，敌不可从下风攻。白天风刮久了，夜间就会停。指挥军队作战，必须知道五种火攻的变化，一旦时机成熟，便可施行火攻。



《英译》

In fiery attacks, you should respond to the five changes. When setting fire within the opponent’s camp, you should support with coordinated actions from outside at an early time. If the opponent keeps quiet after the fire start bursting, you should wait without attacking. Whenever the fire comes to an end, you should take actions accordingly, namely, if possible, you can attack, if impossible, you can stop. You can also set fire from outside. It is unnecessary to wait for coordinated actions from within. You can take actions according to opportunities. The fire must be set on the windward side and you can not attack on the opponent from the leeward. If a wind blows for a long time in the day time, it will stop at night. When commanding a battle, commanders must know these five changes about fiery attacks. Once the time is ripe, a fiery attack can be launched.



4．故以火佐攻者明，以水佐攻者强；水可以绝，不可以夺。



《注释》

1．绝：阻挡，阻扰。

2．夺：灭掉annihilate, wipe out, exterminate.



《白话》

因此，以火辅助进攻，手段高明；以水辅助进攻，攻势强劲。但水只能阻敌，不能灭敌。



《英译》

So, taking fiery attack as supplementary means, the tactic is wise; taking water attack as supplementary means, the momentum is tremendous. Yet, water attack can only block the opponent but cannot wipe them out.



5．夫战胜攻取，而不修其功者凶，命曰费留。故曰：明主虑之，良将修之，非利不动，非得不用，非危不战。主不可以怒而兴师，将不可以愠而致战；合于利而动，不合于利而止。怒可以复喜，愠可以复悦，亡国不可以复存，死者不可以复生。故明君慎之，良将警之，此安国全军之道也。



《注释》

1.修其功：考虑起功效，考虑其后果。 修，考虑。

2．凶：不吉利，危险misfortune.

3.费留：费留：财货耗费致使部队滞留，即，劳民伤财fatigue the people and drain the resources.



《白话》

只顾开战获胜，进攻夺取，但不考虑后果就会凶多吉少，而这也正是所谓的劳民伤财。因此说，对这件事，明智的国君要慎重考虑，贤良的将帅要认真对待。不能有利不要行动；不能有得不要用兵；不到危在旦夕不要开战。国君不可因一时的怨怒而开战，将帅不可因一时的恼怒而出征。合乎国家利益就行动，不合就停。怨怒可变成喜悦，恼怒可变成快乐，但国家灭亡，不能复存，人死不能复生。所以，明智的国君要慎重，贤良的将帅要警惕，这是安定国家和保全军队的原则。



《英译》

It is a misfortune that commanders only challenge to win and attack to take yet without thinking about the effects. And this is called “fatigue the people and drain the resources”. Therefore, as far as warfare is concerned, wise lords should cautiously think about it and clever commanders should carefully treat it. If you cannot get advantages, then do not move. If you cannot gain anything, then do not resort to arms. It is not extra-urgent, then do not wage war. The lord should not wage war just because of resentment. The commander should not leave home for the battlefront only because of anger. If it conforms to the benefits of the sate, then move. Otherwise, just stop. Resentment can be turned into joy and anger can be turned into happiness. But if a country perished then it cannot exist again. If a person died then he cannot revive. So a wise lord should always be cautious and a good commander should be vigilant. This is the principle to stabilize a country and save an army.



用间篇第十三



Chapter Thirteen: the Use of Intelligence



1．孙子曰：凡兴师十万，出征千里，百姓之费，公家之奉，日费千金。内外骚动，怠于道路，不得操事者，七十万家。相守数年，以争一日之胜，而爱爵禄百金，不知敌之情者，不仁之至也，非民之将也，非主之佐也，非胜之主也。故明君贤将，所以动而胜人，成功出于众者，先知也。先知者，不可取于鬼神，不可象于事，不可验于度，必取于人，知敌之情者也。



《注释》

1．兴师：可作“派兵”解，send an army; dispatch troops. 兴师动众：drag in many people （to do something）.兴师问罪：send a punitive expedition. 此外还可以作“征兵”解raise a corps of a hundred thousand.

2．十万：此处指“十万大军”，an army of a hundred thousand strong; a force of a hundred thousand men.

3．怠于道路：疲于奔命busy to run about.

4．不得操事：不能正常做事。

5．相守：守备be on garrison duty.守备部队：garrison force.

6．象于事: 做事靠天象.。天象：astronomical （or celestial）phenomena.

7．验于度：估计情况凭验算。估计estimate, calculate. 验算checking computations.



《白话》

孙子说：发兵十万，出征千里，全凭百姓的费用，公家的开支，每天耗资千金。内骚外乱，动荡不安，百姓奔波劳碌，疲惫不堪，无法正常劳作，多达七十万户。守备数年，只争一时的胜利。只爱官爵俸禄和金钱，不知敌情，就是最缺乏仁爱之心。这种人不配统帅三军，不配辅佐国君，不能主宰胜利。明智的国君和贤能的将帅，一旦出兵就能克敌制胜，成功超出众人，就是因为事先能够摸清敌情。而预知敌情，不可祈求鬼神，做事不可靠天象，估计不可靠验算，必须依靠人，也就是了解敌情的人。



《英译》

Sun Tzu said: Sending an army of 100 thousand strong and covering a thousand miles for the battlefront, all military expenditure consumes the income of the masses and the property of the public. A thousand pieces of gold will be spent every day. Internal disorder and external turmoil with no stability made people tired out due to busily running about. There are as many as seven hundred thousand families whose members cannot work normally. Having been on garrison duty for several years, the army has fought only for a temporary victory. Those who only pay attention to official position, salary and money and only know enemy situation are mostly lack of benevolence. This sort of person is unworthy to be the commander of the entire force and the assistant of the lord. He cannot decide the victory at all. As for wise lords and clever commanders, once they dispatch an army, triumph will be ensured. Their successes are extraordinary. All these are because of that they are already well acquainted with enemy situation beforehand. When foreseeing enemy situation, foreknowledge cannot be obtained through spirits。 When doing something, astronomical phenomena can not be relied on. When estimating situations, simple computation-checking is unreliable. Everything must be done through men. That is to say, foreseeing enemy situation must be done by men.



2．故用间有五：有乡间，有内间，有反间，有死间，有生间。五间俱起，莫知其道，是谓神纪，人君之宝也。乡间者，因其乡人而用之。内间者，因其官人而用之。反间者，因其敌间而用之。死间者，为诳事于外，令吾间知之，而传于敌间也。生间者，反报也。



《注释》

1．间：读“建”。间谍intelligence.

2．俱起：都启用。

3. 莫知其道：摸不着头脑cannot make head or tail of something; cannot make anything out of something; be completely at loss about something.

4．神纪：神机妙算marvelous foresight; excellent calculation.

5．法宝magic weapon; talisman （复数：talismans）.



《白话》

可利用的间谍有五种，即：乡间、内间、反间、死间、生间。五种间谍若都能利用起来，敌方对我就摸不着头脑，这就是神机妙算，也是国君克敌制胜的法宝。所谓乡间，是利用敌国乡民做间谍；内间，是利用敌方官吏做间谍；反间，是利用敌方间谍做间谍；死间，是制造假情报在外面张扬，故意让潜伏在敌人内部的我方间谍知道，再传给敌方间谍；生间，是潜入敌方侦察，再返回报告敌情。





《英译》

There are five kinds of intelligence, namely, local intelligence, inside intelligence, counter intelligence, dead intelligence and living intelligence. If all these five sorts of intelligence can be fully used, the opponent cannot make anything out of us. This is called marvelous foresight. And this is also the magic weapon with which the lord wins victories. By local intelligence, it means taking a countryman as intelligence. By inside intelligence, it means taking an officer of the opponent as intelligence. By counter intelligence, it means taking opponent’s intelligence as intelligence. By dead intelligence, it means producing feign information and spreading it outside and deliberately letting our intelligence in the opponent country know and then telling the information to the opponent’s intelligence. By living intelligence, it means penetrating into the opponent for observation and then coming back to report the enemy’s situation.





3．故三军之亲，莫亲于间，赏莫厚于间，事莫密于间。 非圣智不能用间，非仁义不能使间，非微妙不能得间之实。微哉！微哉！无所不用间也。



《白话》

所以，军队与他人的关系，没有比与间谍更亲密的；军中的奖赏，没有比对间谍更优厚的；军中的事情，没有比有关间谍更机密的。非圣贤智士不能利用间谍；非仁义之士不能使用间谍；不能精微透彻谋虑的人，不能获得间谍的真实情报。微妙啊！微妙啊！没有任何事情不可使用间谍的。



《注释》

1．微妙：精微的谋略。



《白话》

Therefore, as for the army’s relations with others, the one with intelligence is the closest. As for reward in the army, the one given to intelligence is the most generous. As for military affairs, the one about intelligence is the most confidential. Those who are not sages and wise men cannot use intelligences; those who have no ideals cannot use intelligence. Those who have no meticulous strategic mentality cannot obtain real information from the intelligence. Wonderful! Wonderful! There is nothing in the word which cannot use intelligence.



4．间事未发而先闻者，间与所告者皆死。凡军之所欲击，城之所欲攻，人之所欲杀，必先知其守将、左右、谒者、门者、舍人之姓名，令吾间必索知之。必索敌人之间来间我者，因而利之，导而舍之，故反间可得而用也。因是而知之，故乡间、内间可得而使也；因是而知之，故死间为诳事，可使告敌；因是而知之，故生间可使如期。五间之事，主必知之，知之必在于反间，故反间不可不厚也。



《注释》

1．先闻：先有耳闻。即有人先泄露。泄露let out; reveal; disclose; betray（指无意中泄露）. 泄密let out a secret; disclose a secret; give away a secret; divulge a secret; divulge confidential information; divulge classified （美国说法）information.

2．开导：Enlighten; give guidance to; talk （somebody） around. 关于这一点，他的话开导了我。His words have enlightened me on this. 或者 He has straightened me out on this. 他善意地开导调皮学生。He gave friendly guidance to mischievous pupils.

3．诳事:假情报。

4．厚：厚待treat somebody generously.



《白话》

间谍事未做就先有人听说，间谍及被告知秘密的人都得处死。一般来说，目标是攻击一支部队，或是攻取一处城邑，或是杀掉的敌人，就必须事先摸清守将、亲信、访客、门卫、门客的姓名，这就要叫我方间谍去探知。对于敌人派来刺探我方情报的间谍，也必须把他们搜查出来，并用重金引诱开导，然后再放他们回去。这样，反间就可为我所用。情报因此可以得知，那么，乡间和内间就可为我所用；情报因此可以得知，那么，死间就能将假情报传给敌人；情报因此可以得知，那么，生间也可定期反馈敌情。上述“五间”之事，国君必须亲自过问并了解掌握五间的利用情况，而了解掌握“五间”的关键则在于反间。因此，反间不可或缺，并要加以利用。正是因为如此，反间不能不厚待。



《英译》

If someone learns secrets before intelligence does anything, both the intelligence and those who are told the secrets will be killed. Generally, if the objective is to attack a corps, if the objective is to attack a fortified area, if the objective is to kill some persons, we should have foreknowledge about the names of commander in charge of defense, supporters, visitors, guards and supporters. And then intelligences should be sent to find out the relative information. As for the intelligences sent by the opponent to gather our military secrets, we should find out and then lure them with advantages, enlighten them and finally let them go back. Thus, the counter intelligences can be used by us. And information can be obtained. And then local intelligences and counter intelligences can be utilized. And information can be obtained. Then dead intelligences can pass the feign information to the opponent. And information can be obtained. Then living intelligence can feedback the information. As far as the above mentioned five sorts of intelligence are concerned, the lord should look into and well master the relative matters. The key problem of mastering these five sorts of intelligences lies in counter intelligence. Therefore, counter intelligence is indispensable and should be fully used. And therefore, counter intelligence must be generously treated.



5．昔殷之兴也，伊挚在夏；周之兴也，吕牙在殷。故惟明君贤将，能以上智为间者，必成大功。此兵之要，三军之所恃而动也。



《注释》

1．伊挚：伊尹名挚，是有莘氏在桑树林拾到的弃儿，因其养母住在伊水边上，所以以水为氏。伊尹虽然其貌不扬，但足智多谋，志向远大，当时夏王桀暴虐残忍，民不聊生。伊尹看出夏朝气数已尽，用现在的话说，就为商汤充当间谍，协助他取夏桀之位而代之。

2．吕牙：即吕尚，也就是姜尚。姜尚，名望，吕氏，字子牙，或单呼牙，也称吕尚。又因是齐国始祖而称“太公望”，俗称姜太公。东海海滨人。西周初年，在殷朝辅佐周文王伐商。后辅佐周武王灭商。因功封于齐，成为周代齐国的始祖。他是中国历史上最享盛名的政治家、军事家和谋略家。



《白话》

从前，殷商的兴起，要归功于伊挚在夏助汤为间；西周的兴起，要归功于吕牙在殷助文王为间。所以，英明的国和贤能的将帅，凡能任用高智商者充当间谍的，必能成就大业。这是用兵作战的关键，三军就是依靠这些人来决定军事行动的。



《英译》

In ancient times, the rise of the Yin Dynasty should be attributed to Yi Zhi of the Xia Dynasty who acted as an inside intelligence to help Tang; the rise of the Zhou Dynasty should be attributed to Lu Ya of the Yin Dynasty who acted as an inside intelligence to help Wen Wang. Therefore, the brilliant lords and excellent generals who take the wisest men as intelligences will certainly accomplish great causes. This is the essence when waging wars. And when deciding strategies, the entire force does rely on these people for every move.



2010年8月2日新泽西