| | 兵要: |
圣人之用兵也。将以利物，不以害物也。将以救亡，非以危存也。故不得已而用之耳，然以战者危事，兵者凶器，不欲人之好用之，故制法遗后，命将出师，虽胜敌而反，犹以丧礼处之，明弗乐也。故曰：好战者亡，忘战者危，不好不忘，天下之王也。 |
| | The sage's use of military force. It is used to benefit things, not to harm them. It is employed to save from peril, not to endanger what exists. Therefore, it is used only when there is no alternative. However, since warfare is a dangerous endeavor and military force an ominous instrument, one does not wish for people to eagerly employ them. Hence, laws are established and passed down to future generations: when commanding generals lead troops into battle, even if they return victorious after defeating the enemy, they are still treated with funeral rites, clearly indicating that it is not a joyous matter. Therefore it is said: "Those who love war will perish; those who forget about war are in danger. He who neither loves nor forgets warfare shall be the king of the world."
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| | 兵要: |
夫兵之要，在于修政，修政之要，在于得民心，得民心，在于利之，利之之要，在于仁以爱之，义以理之也。故六马不和，造父不能以致远，臣民不附，汤，武不能以立功，故兵之要在得衆者，善政之谓也。善政者恤民之患，除民之害也。故政善于内，兵强于外。 |
| | The key to military affairs lies in governing well; the essence of good governance is winning the people's hearts; winning the people's hearts depends on benefiting them; and the way to benefit them lies in showing benevolence by loving them, and righteousness by managing them properly. Therefore, even if the six horses are not in harmony, Chao Fu cannot drive them far; and even if his subjects do not support him, Tang and Wu could not achieve success. Thus, the essence of military affairs lies in gaining the people's support—this is what is meant by good governance. Good governance means caring for the people's hardships and removing their afflictions. Therefore, when internal governance is good, military strength prevails externally.
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| | 兵要: |
历观古今用兵之败，非鼓之日也。民心离散，素行豫败也。用兵之胜，非阵之朝也。民心亲附，素行豫胜也。故法天之道，履地之德，尽人之和，君臣辑穆，上下一心，盟誓不用，赏罚未施，消奸慝于未萌，折凶邪于殊俗，此帝者之兵也。德以为卒，威以为辅，修仁义之行，行恺悌之令，辟地殖谷，国富民丰，赏罚明，约誓信，民乐为之死，将乐为之亡，师不越境，旅不涉场，而敌人稽颡，此王者之兵也。 |
| | Looking back at the failures of military campaigns throughout history and in the present, they are not due to the day of beating drums [i.e., the timing or auspiciousness of a campaign]. When the people's hearts have already become disunited and dispersed, it is a pre-existing failure that has long been brewing. The victory in military campaigns does not depend on the morning of arranging formations. When the people's hearts are loyal and attached, it is a pre-established advantage that has long ensured victory. Therefore, following the way of Heaven, embodying the virtue of Earth, and achieving harmony among people—when rulers and ministers are harmonious, superiors and subordinates united as one—oaths need not be made, rewards and punishments have yet to be implemented; evils are eliminated before they arise, and violent wrongdoers are curbed in their alien customs. This is the military conduct of an emperor. With virtue as the foundation of soldiers and authority as their support, cultivating conduct rooted in benevolence and righteousness, issuing commands marked by kindness and gentleness; developing land for grain production to enrich the state and its people. Rewards and punishments are clear, oaths and agreements trustworthy—thus the people willingly die for it, generals joyfully sacrifice themselves for it. Armies do not cross borders, travelers do not tread fields, yet enemies bow in submission. This is the military force of a king.
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