The leader who listens to me and puts my wisdom into practice will conquer, but those who do not will suffer defeat. 

       While listening to my ways, avail yourself to any effective circumstances and tactics that go over and beyond the ordinary rules. 

       Base your plans and methods according to circumstances being favorable. 

       How victory may be produced for them out of the enemy’s own tactics—that is what the multitude cannot comprehend.  Everyone can see the tactics that I use to conquer, but few can see the strategy out of which victory is evolved. 

       Do not repeat the exact same tactics just because they have gained you one victory—instead, let your methods be regulated by the infinite variety of circumstances. 

       Effective military tactics are like water.  Water in its natural course runs away from high places and hastens downwards.  So in war, the effective Way is to avoid what is strong and to strike at what is weak. 

       Just like water shapes its course according to the nature of the ground over which it flows, so also does the soldier work out his victory in relation to the foe that he is facing, the environmental conditions, and the terrain.  Just like water retains no constant shape, so also are there no constant conditions in warfare. 

       Those who can modify their tactics in relation to these conditions, and thereby succeed in winning—I call them masterful captains.

       There are a variety of circumstances, and everything is always changing.