Winning battles and seizing lands yet failing to consolidate gains brings disaster – this is called wasteful lingering.
Hence, wise rulers deliberate on wars, and able generals secure achievements. March only when there is profit; fight only when victory is assured; engage in battle only in peril.
A ruler must not raise troops out of anger, nor a general start war out of resentment. Act if it serves interests; hold back if it does not.
Anger can turn to joy again, but a fallen state can never be restored, nor can the dead return to life. Therefore wise rulers stay prudent and good generals stay alert. This is the way to secure the state and preserve the army.
Note
Victories without consolidation bring ruin. Rulers and generals must wage war only for tangible gains, never out of rage. Anger fades, but ruined states and lost lives cannot be recovered; prudence safeguards the nation and army.
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.
Wasteful lingering
Neglecting to consolidate captured territory after victory.
No impulsive war
Forbid launching wars out of personal emotion.
Prudence
The fundamental principle to protect country and troops.
夫戰勝攻取，而不修其攻者凶，命曰費留。故曰：明主慮之，良將修之，非利不動，非得不用，非危不戰。主不可以怒而興師，將不可以慍而致戰；合于利而動，不合于利而止。怒可以復喜，慍可以復悅，亡國不可以復存，死者不可以復生。故明君慎之，良將警之，此安國全軍之道也。
Leave a Reply