Verse 10-Wei Liao Zi Art of War Chapter 8
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Verse 10-Wei Liao Zi Art of War Chapter 8
English
When Wu Qi engaged Qin in battle, wherever he encamped, he will not flatten the ground where he sleeps on. He used young saplings to provid protective covering against the frost and dew. Why did he act like this? Because he did not place himself higher than other men. If you want me to die, you do not require them to perform perfunctory acts of respect. If you want men to exhaust their strength, you do not hold them responsible for performing the rites. Thus, in antiquity an officer wearing a helmet and armor did not bow, showing people that he is does not troubled want to trouble anyone. Annoy people, and yet require them to die, to exhaust their strength, from antiquity till today has never been heard of.
Modern
吴起与秦军作战，就睡在不加平整的田埂上，只用树枝掩盖以遮蔽霜露。为什么这样呢？这是因为他不自视高人一等的原故。凡是要求人家为你效死，就不能要求人家对你必恭必敬；要求人家竭尽全力，就不能讲究那些繁文缛节。所以古时候穿戴盔甲的将士不行跪拜之礼，这是表示不愿因自己而增加别人的麻烦。给别人增添很多麻烦，而又要求人家为你效死尽力，是从古至今，没有听说过的。
Original
吴起与秦战，舍不平陇亩，朴樕盖之，以蔽霜露。如此何也？不自高人故也。乞人之死不索尊，竭人之力不责礼。故古者，甲胄之士不拜，示人无己烦也。夫烦人而欲乞其死，竭其力，自古至今，未尝闻矣。
Applications
From: Wei Liao Zi Art of War Chapter 8