Art of War Chapter – 9.5

If you impose punishment on soldiers before winning their loyalty, they will not obey, and disobedient troops cannot be employed.
If soldiers are loyal yet discipline is not enforced, the army still cannot fight well.

Therefore, guide them with virtue and unite them with strict rules. This is the way to secure certain victory.

Troops grow obedient if orders are always carried out in daily training. If orders are habitually ignored, they will never submit. Consistent enforcement of orders shows harmony between the leader and his men.

Note

This passage talks about army management: earn soldiers’ trust before punishment, yet enforce rules after gaining loyalty. Balance benevolent guidance and strict discipline. Consistent daily execution of orders builds harmony and obedient troops for guaranteed victory.

Sun Tzu (Sun Wu)

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.

Win loyalty first

Gain soldiers’ trust before enforcing penalties.

Kindness and discipline

The core principle of army management.

Consistent orders

Execute rules strictly in peacetime to maintain morale and unity.

卒未親附而罰之，則不服，不服則難用。卒已親附而罰不行，則不可用。故令之以文，齊之以武，是謂必取。令素行以教其民，則民服；令不素行以教其民，則民不服；令素行，與眾相得也。