Troops prefer high ground and shun low-lying areas; favor sunny places and avoid shaded ones. Station on fertile and wholesome land to keep soldiers free from illness – this guarantees victory.
On hills, mounds and dikes, occupy the sunny side and keep high ground on your right. These are military advantages brought by terrain.
When rain upstream causes surging floods, wait until the water calms before crossing.
Avoid six perilous terrains: deep gorges, natural pits, enclosed traps, tangled thickets, boggy sinks and narrow chasms. Keep far away from them. Let the enemy draw near them; face these dangers yourself and force the enemy to turn their backs on them.
Where there are defiles, pools, reeds, woods and dense thickets near your camp, search thoroughly. These are places where ambushes and spies lie hidden.
Note
This passage sets camping standards: pick high, sunny, fertile ground to keep troops healthy. It warns against six deadly terrains, lure enemies near them, and thoroughly search nearby woods and wetlands to guard against hidden ambushes and spies.
A great military strategist and thinker in ancient China, who lived in the late Spring and Autumn Period. He authored The Art of War, the world’s earliest and most influential military classic. His strategic thoughts have been widely applied in military, politics and management worldwide.
Camping principles
Choose high, sunny and healthy ground to prevent diseases.
Six perilous terrains
Six deadly natural landforms that troops must evade.
Use dangerous terrain
Guide the enemy into hazardous areas to gain superiority.
Search hidden areas
Guard against ambushes and secret enemies in dense vegetation and obstacles.
凡軍好高而惡下，貴陽而賤陰，養生處實，軍無百疾，是謂必勝。邱陵隄防，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。凡地有絕澗、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、蒹葭、林木、翳薈者，必謹覆索之，此伏姦之所也。
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