English translation
Sun Tzu said: In placing an army opposite the enemy, if mountains cut you off and you rely on valleys, occupy the high ground with observation; fight from a raised position without having to climb—this is the mountain army. If water cuts you off, keep well away from it; if the enemy is cut off by water and comes, do not meet him in the water—let him be half across and strike him; this is advantageous. If you seek battle, do not attach yourself to the water to meet the enemy; take high ground with observation and do not face the current—this is the army on the water. If marshes cut you off, depart quickly and do not linger; when armies meet amid marsh they must rely on water grasses and have their backs to dense trees—this is the marsh army. On flat ground it is easy; the right is backed and high, the front is death and the rear life—this is the plain army. The advantages of these four dispositions are how the Yellow Emperor overcame the four rulers.
Chinese source
孫子曰：凡處軍相敵，絕山依谷，視生處高，戰隆無登，此處山之軍也。絕水必遠水，客絕水而來，勿迎之于水內，令半濟而擊之，利；欲戰者，無附于水而迎客，視生處高，無迎水流，此處水上之軍也。絕斥澤，惟亟去無留，若交軍於斥澤之中，必依水草，而背衆樹，此處斥澤之軍也。平陸處易，而右背高，前死後生，此處平陸之軍也。凡此四軍之利，黃帝之所以勝四帝也。
Armies prefer heights and avoid low ground; they prize the sunny side and disdain the shady; they preserve life and occupy solid ground. An army without many ailments is said to be certain to win. On hills and embankments, take the sunny side and have your right flank supported—this is the advantage troops gain from the ground. After heavy rain, when the water is turbid, those who wish to ford should wait until it clears.
Chinese source
凡軍好高而惡下，貴陽而賤陰，養生而處實，軍無百疾，是謂必勝。丘陵堤防，必處其陽，而右背之，此兵之利，地之助也。上雨，水沫至，欲涉者，待其定也。
Where there are sheer ravines or features called sky-wells, sky-traps, sky-nets, sky-sinks and sky-gaps, withdraw at once and do not approach. If we keep away, the enemy approaches; if we approach, the enemy falls back. Where the army is bordered by obstacles, ponds, reeds, woods or thorny thickets, be careful when covering and securing lines—these are the places ambushers inhabit.
Chinese source
凡地有絕澗，遇天井、天牢、天羅、天陷、天隙，必亟去之，勿近也。吾遠之，敵近之；吾迎之，敵背之。軍旁有險阻、潢井、葭葦、林木、蘙薈者，必謹覆索之，此伏奸之所處也。
If the enemy is near and silent, he relies on his position; if he is distant and challenges, he wants you to advance. If his place of station is easy to occupy, it is advantageous. Many trees moving mean they are coming; much grass blocking the way means doubt; birds rising mean an ambush; startled beasts mean a hidden force. Dust that rises high and sharp indicates chariots; dust low and wide indicates infantry. Scattered, spreading dust denotes woodcutters or foragers; a few going back and forth denotes a camp detail. Humble words combined with increased preparations mean advance; bold words with pressing forward mean retreat. Light chariots going out first and remaining to the side mark a formation. Those who ask for peace without agreement are plotting. Running about and deploying troops indicate a set plan for engagement. Half advance and half retreat is a lure. One who stands with a staff is hungry; one who draws water and drinks first is thirsty. Those who see gain but do not advance are weary. Birds gathering indicate emptiness; cries at night indicate fear. An army in disorder shows the commander is not respected; moving banners show confusion; angry officers show fatigue. When there is grain, horses and meat, no supply rope hung, and the troops do not return to their quarters, these are desperate enemy bands. Long-winded, whispering, and speaking slowly to people indicate loss of the troops. Frequent rewards show constraint; frequent punishments show distress. To be violent first and then fear one’s own men is lack of thoroughness. Those who come to surrender and thank you seek rest. If soldiers angrily go out to meet each other and, after long time, neither join nor part, you must examine the situation carefully.
Chinese source
敵近而靜者，恃其險也；遠而挑戰者，欲人之進也；其所居易者，利也；衆樹動者，來也；衆草多障者，疑也；鳥起者，伏也；獸駭者，覆也；塵高而銳者，車來也；卑而廣者，徒來也；散而條達者，樵采也；少而往來者，營軍也；辭卑而益備者，進也；辭強而進驅者，退也；輕車先出，居其側者，陣也；無約而請和者，謀也；奔走而陳兵者，期也；半進半退者，誘也；杖而立者，饑也；汲而先飲者，渴也；見利而不進者，勞也；鳥集者，虛也；夜呼者，恐也；軍擾者，將不重也；旌旗動者，亂也；吏怒者，倦也；粟馬肉食，軍無懸缻，而不返其舍者，窮寇也；諄諄翕翕，徐與人言者，失衆也；數賞者，窘也；數罰者，困也；先暴而後畏其衆者，不精之至也；來委謝者，欲休息也。兵怒而相迎，久而不合，又不相去，必謹察之。
Therefore troops are not valuable merely for their numbers. What matters is avoiding reckless advance, and being able to combine forces, judge the enemy, and take prisoners. Those who are careless and readily engage the enemy will surely be captured.
Chinese source
故兵非貴益多也，惟無武進，足以併力、料敵、取人而已。夫惟無慮而易敵者，必擒於人。
If soldiers are not yet attached and you punish them, they will not accept it and will be hard to use. If soldiers are attached but punishments are not enforced, they cannot be used. Therefore govern them with regulations and align them with military discipline—this is what secures success. If commands are habitually practiced and used to teach the people, the people obey; if commands are habitually not practiced and used to teach the people, the people do not obey. Orders that are habitually observed are in harmony with the masses.
Chinese source
卒未親附而罰之，則不服，不服則難用也。卒已親附而罰不行，則不可用也。故令之以文，齊之以武，是謂必取。令素行以教其民，則民服；令素不行以教其民，則民不服。令素行者，與衆相得也。