If our soldiers are not overburdened with money, it is not because
they have a distaste for riches; if their lives are not unduly long,
it is not because they are disinclined to longevity.
Chang Yü has the best note on this passage: 貨與壽人之所愛也所以燒擲
財寳割棄性命者非憎惡之也不得已也 “Wealth and long life are things for
which all men have a natural inclination. Hence, if they burn or
fling away valuables, and sacrifice their own lives, it is not
that they dislike them, but simply that they have no choice.” Sun
Tzŭ is slyly insinuating that, as soldiers are but human, it is
for the general to see that temptations to shirk fighting and grow
rich are not thrown in their way. Capt. Calthrop, mistaking 惡 for
the adjective, has: “not because money is a bad thing ... not
because long life is evil.”