[In Frederick the Great’s Instructions to his Generals we read: "A defensive war is apt to betray us into too frequent detachment. Those generals who have had but little experience attempt to protect every point, while those who are better acquainted with their profession, having only the capital object in view, guard against a decisive blow, and acquiesce in small misfortunes to avoid greater."]
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The head of the Chi family was richer than the duke of Chau had been, and yet Ch'iu collected his imposts for him, and increased his wealth. 2. The Master said, 'He is no disciple of mine. My little children, beat the drum and assail him.'
[“Your grandsires saw no other thing; nor will your posterity.” --Manilius, i. 529.]
The Master said, 'A horse is called a ch'i, not because of its strength, but because of its other good qualities.'
Essays of Montaigne (Book I) — Chapter 21: Chapter 20: Of The Force Of Imagination
When the Master went to Wei, Zan Yu acted as driver of his carriage. 2. The Master observed, 'How numerous are the people!' 3. Yu said, 'Since they are thus numerous, what more shall be done for them?' 'Enrich them,' was the reply. 4. 'And when they have been enriched, what more shall be done?' The Master said, 'Teach them.'
The Master said, 'If a truly royal ruler were to arise, it would still require a generation, and then virtue would prevail.'
[Chuang Yu quotes a saying: "Equally guilty are those who advance against orders and those who retreat against orders." Tu Mu tells a story in this connection of Wu Ch’i, when he was fighting against the Ch’in State. Before the battle had begun, one of his soldiers, a man of matchless daring, sallied forth by himself, captured two heads from the enemy, and returned to camp. Wu Ch’i had the man instantly executed, whereupon an officer ventured to remonstrate, saying: "This man was a good soldier, and ought not to have been beheaded." Wu Ch’i replied: "I fully believe he was a good soldier, but I had him beheaded because he acted without orders."]
[“Live triumphing over as many ages as you will, death still will remain eternal.”--Lucretius, iii. 1103]
[“Live triumphing over as many ages as you will, death still will remain eternal.”--Lucretius, iii. 1103]
[Chang Yu says: "Presence of mind is the general’s most important asset. It is the quality which enables him to discipline disorder and to inspire courage into the panic-stricken." The great general Li Ching (A.D. 571-649) has a saying: "Attacking does not merely consist in assaulting walled cities or striking at an army in battle array; it must include the art of assailing the enemy’s mental equilibrium."]
After that, comes tactical manœuvering, than which there is nothing more difficult.
[Tu Mu, in this phrase, in his interpretation indicates that trouble should be made for the enemy affecting their "possessions," or, as we might say, "assets," which he considers to be "a large army, a rich exchequer, harmony amongst the soldiers, punctual fulfillment of commands." These give us a whip-hand over the enemy.]
--there is more in them of opposition and obstinacy than is consistent with so sacred a profession; but whatsoever personage a man takes upon himself to perform, he ever mixes his own part with it.
[Tu Mu explains: "Though the enemy may have clever and capable officers, they will not be able to lay any plans against us."]
“‘Cur amplius addere quaeris, Rursum quod pereat male, et ingratum occidat omne?’
[“Know you not that, when dead, there can be no other living self to lament you dead, standing on your grave.”--Idem., ibid., 898.]
“Inter se mortales mutua vivunt ................................ Et, quasi cursores, vitai lampada tradunt.”
[“Mortals, amongst themselves, live by turns, and, like the runners in the games, give up the lamp, when they have won the race, to the next comer.--” Lucretius, ii. 75, 78.]
[An alternative reading offered by Chia Lin is: "Know beforehand all plans conducive to our success and to the enemy’s failure."