Verse 2-Wei Liao Zi Art of War Chapter 10

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Verse 2-Wei Liao Zi Art of War Chapter 10

English

By knowing the extent of the state’s resources, you can plan to use the surplus. Knowing the weakness of others is the way to strengthening oneself; knowing the movements of others is the because we are calm. Officers are divided into the civil and martial, because these are the two areas the ruler administer the state. The ceremonial vessels are all regulated, for they are being used by the Son of Heaven’s convocation. When itinerant persuaders and spies have no means to gain entrance, this is the technique for rectifying and preserving discussions. The feudal lords have their rites for honoring the Son of Heaven, and rulers and their people – generation after generation – continue to acknowledge the king’s mandate to rule. If someone changes or creates new rites, alter what is normal, or contravenes the king’s illustrious Virtue, then in accord with the rites, the king can attack them. Officials with no affairs to administer, a ruler without rank or rewards that need to be bestowed, a populace without criminal cases or lawsuits, a state without traders or merchants – how perfected the king’s rule! What I have so clearly proposed and the ruler heed and take actions to move towards it, it is because of the rulers high morality.

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Modern

了解国家资财的多少，这是量入为出，节约开支的根据。了解敌方的薄弱环节，这是让自己变弱为强的依据。了解对方的动态，这是我方冷静才能看透。设置文武官吏，分管政治、军事，这是王者治理国家的两种手段。祭祀的制度有统一的规定，这是天子会合诸侯的仪式。不听信游士的邪说和间谍的诡计，这是贯彻正确主张的保证。诸侯谨守天子的礼法，君臣关系，世代相传，这是承受天子之命的前提。如果改换国号变更制度，违背天子的德政，按礼就可以进行讨伐。要做到社会安定，不须官吏去管理，万民勤奋不需上级去鼓励，民众没有纠纷，国家没有商贩，造成最好的政治局面。我之所以坦率地陈述这些意见，也就是希望你能施行这种德政。

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