Sunday, December 30, 2007

To President Bush...



I would like to bring to your attention a little passage from Sunzi on the "Art of War":

"To win battles and seize land and cities and yet fail to consolidate these achievements is fraught with dangers as it means a drain on your resources. Therefore it is said that a wise sovereign makes careful deliberations before launching a war and a good commander handles it with care. Do not go into battle if it is not in the interest of the state. Do not deploy the troops if you are not sure of victory.

Do not send them into battle if you are not in danger. The sovereign should not start a war simply out of anger; the commander or general should not fight a battle simply because he is resentful.

Take action only if it is to your advantage. Otherwise, do not. For an enraged man may regain his composure and a resentful person his happiness, but a state which has perished cannot be restored, nor can the dead be brought back to life. "

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