Treatise on Military Preparation, Volume Seven

The worthy xian (賢): men of superior talent and moral character are attracted by virtue. The sages sheng (聖): those who possess the highest level of wisdom and connection to the divine or natural order are attracted by the Way original: "道" (dao); the fundamental principle underlying the universe and the ideal path of governance. When the worthy depart, the state becomes diminished. When the sages depart, the state hangs in the balance. Diminishment is the step toward danger. Hanging in the balance is the omen of disaster.

The governance of a worthy man brings people to submission through their bodies meaning outward compliance and physical presence. The governance of a
How Goujian served Fuchai is an example of submission of the body The original text "何踐" (Hejian) is likely a transcription error for "勾踐" (Goujian), the King of Yue who famously served his rival Fuchai as a servant to plot his eventual revenge.

sage brings people to submission through their hearts. Submission of the body allows one to plan for a beginning. Submission of the heart allows one to secure the end.

Submission of the body is achieved through Ritual li (禮): the system of rites, etiquette, and social norms that govern behavior. Submission of the heart is achieved through Music yue (樂): in a Confucian context, this refers to both musical performance and the resulting social harmony.

What is called "Music" is not merely the sound of bells, stone chimes, strings, or flutes. It refers to the people finding joy The Chinese character for Music (yue 樂) is the same as the character for Joy (le 樂). The text plays on this double meaning. in their homes. It refers to people finding joy in their customs. It refers to people finding joy in their livelihoods. It refers to people finding joy in their cities. It refers to people finding joy in the government’s decrees. It refers to people finding joy in the path of virtue.

When it is like this, the ruler of men creates music to regulate these joys, ensuring that the people do not lose their sense of harmony. Therefore, a ruler who possesses virtue uses music to bring joy to the people. A ruler who lacks virtue uses music only to bring joy to himself. He who brings joy to the people will prosper for a long time. He who brings joy only to himself will soon face disaster.

To discard what is near and plot for what is far leads to toil without success. To discard what is far and plot for what is near leads to ease and a successful conclusion.