Therefore soldiers must be treated in the first instance with
humanity, but kept under control by means of iron discipline.
文 and 武, according to Ts‘ao Kung, are here equivalent to 仁 and
法 respectively. Compare our two uses of the word “civil.” 晏子 Yen
Tzŭ [✝ B.C. 493] said of 司馬穰苴 Ssŭ-ma Jang-chü: 文能附衆武能威敵也
“His civil virtues endeared him to the people; his martial prowess
kept his enemies in awe.” Cf. Wu Tzŭ, ch. 4 _init_.: 夫總文武者軍之
將也兼剛柔者兵之事也 “The ideal commander unites culture with a
warlike temper; the profession of arms requires a combination
of hardness and tenderness.” Again I must find fault with Capt.
Calthrop’s translation: “By humane treatment we obtain obedience;
authority brings uniformity.”
This is a certain road to victory.