Verse 3-Wei Liao Zi Art of War Chapter 8
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Verse 3-Wei Liao Zi Art of War Chapter 8
English
In general, executions provide the means to illuminate army's awesomeness.If by executing one man, the entire army will be shaken, kill him. If by killing one man, ten thousand men will rejoice , kill him. In executing, should start with those of high authority; in rewarding, should start with those of low positions. If someone should be killed, then even though he is honored and powerful, he must be executed, for this will be punishment that reaches the pinnacle. When rewards extend down to the cowherds and stable boys, this is rewards flowing down to the lowest. Now the ability to implement punishments that read the pinnacle and rewards that flow down to the lowest, is the general’s martial charisma. Thus rulers should value such generals.
Modern
杀戮，是用来整肃军威的。杀一人能使全军震动的，就杀掉他。杀一人能使万人高兴的，就杀掉他。需要杀人时，应该以地位高的人作典型，实行奖赏时应该以地位低的人做榜样。应该杀的虽然官高势大，也一定要杀，这就是“刑上究”的原则；奖赏及于下属的牛童马倌，这就是“赏下流”的原则。能够做到“刑上究”，“赏下流”，这是将帅威武严肃的表现。所以君主应该尊重将帅的职权。
Original
凡诛者，所以明武也。杀一人而三军震者，杀之。杀一人而万人喜者，杀之。杀之贵大，赏之贵小。当杀而虽贵重，必杀之，是刑上究也；赏及牛童马圉者，是赏下流也。夫能刑上究，赏下流，此将之武也，故人主重将。
Applications
From: Wei Liao Zi Art of War Chapter 8