A decorated weapon
Is an inauspicious tool
A thing of some hate
The Wayfarer is not at home with it

The noble man accepts the cost of the East
And takes up weapon for the price of the West

Weapons are inauspicious tools
Preferred by ignoble men
Do not covet their ends
Wield them with poise and calm

Victory is not sweet
Finding it so would be to relish in slaughter, no?

One who relishes in killing
Will not be satiated by his Earthly ambitions

Wealful affairs prefer the East
And woeful ones the West

The lieutenant general stands to the East
And the general stands just to his West
Discussing the funeral they made home

They slaughter throngs of men
Then mourn and grieve for them
Victors retire only to their burial rites

夫佳兵者
不祥之器
物或惡之
故有道者不處

君子居則貴左
用兵則貴右

兵者不祥之器
非君子之器
不得已而用之
恬淡為上

勝而不美
而美之者
是樂殺人

夫樂殺人者
則不可以得志於天下矣

吉事尚左
凶事尚右

偏將軍居左
上將軍居右
言以喪禮處之

殺人之眾
以哀悲泣之
戰勝以喪禮處之