Modern Enhanced Art of War

Author: Xingduo / et al.
Editor-in-Chief: Zhang Shan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1998-01-01
Features: Excerpt:
1.3 Throughout history, there has been a distinction between just and unjust wars. Those that promote social progress are just wars, while those that hinder social progress are unjust wars. The Book of Changes says: "When the army is virtuous and the leader is upright, there will be good fortune."1 Laozi remarked: "Where the army is stationed, thorns and brambles grow; after the passage of a large army, there will surely be a bad year." He also said: "War is an inauspicious instrument, not a tool for gentlemen, and should only be used when necessary." Thus, war is a means to peace, and peace is a balance of power. The sage's use of military force is to prohibit cruelty and stop violence across the land, thereby aligning with the heavens and responding to the people. Belisarius said: "A commander who strives to end war through peace is the greatest of commanders."2
[Note] ① The meaning is: A just army will achieve victory.
1.4 Sima Qian said: "If killing brings peace to the people, then killing is justified; if attacking a country shows love for its people, then attacking is justified; if war is used to end war, then even war is justified." Genghis Khan said: "War gave birth to all things." Marx said: "Violence is the midwife of a new society."3 Baldwin said: "War makes some people cruel and others noble."? Pascal said: "Justice without force is powerless, and force without justice is tyranny."?
[Note] ① Marx's original words were: "Violence is the midwife of every old society that is pregnant with a new one."2 [Note] ② [American] Baldwin's original words were: "War makes some people cruel and others noble."? [Note] ③ [French] Pascal's original words were: "Justice without force is powerless, and force without justice is tyranny."?