Treasure of Wisdom: Interpretation of Zhuge Liang's Art of War

To be a truly great general, one must have five excellent qualities: benevolence, righteousness, courtesy, wisdom and trust, and the basic quality of being both intelligent and brave, and fearless in the face of danger.

---Zhuge Changqing

Original text: There are nine elements of a general: virtue is the principle of the Tao, courtesy is the principle of Qi, and the knowledge of hunger and cold, and the observation of labor is the principle of benevolence; There is no need to avoid things, no need to make profits, no honor of death, no disgrace of life, which is called the righteous general; Honor without arrogance, win without relying on, be wise and able to go down, and be tough and tolerant. This is called courtesy; Strange changes are unpredictable, actions should be multi-faceted, turn disasters into blessings, and win in the face of danger. This is called wise general; There are generous rewards for entering and severe punishment for retreating. Rewards do not exceed the time limit, and punishment is not expensive; It is light enough to fight, powerful enough to cover thousands of people, good at fixing the battlefield, and good at swords and halberds; Climbing high and taking risks, galloping and shooting like flying, advancing first, and retreating back, which is called riding general; It is called a strong general who is determined to dominate the three armies, is determined to be weak and strong, is timid in small battles, and is brave in big enemies; If you are not as good as the wise, if you follow the advice, you will be as broad as you can be, and brave as you can be.

According to the different abilities of different generals, they can be divided into nine types: First, they can educate their subordinates with their own moral integrity, regulate their actions with etiquette, be prepared for their subordinates, ask for warmth, and share weal and woe with their subordinates. Such generals are benevolent generals. The second is that we can do things not only for the immediate relief of disasters, but also for the long-term plan. We are meticulous, not tempted by interests, and would rather sacrifice for honor than humiliate for survival. Such a general is a righteous general. Third, a general who is in a high position but not domineering, has outstanding achievements but not arrogant, is virtuous but not lofty, and is modest to people who are lower than himself, has a straight personality and can entertain others. Such a general is a gift general. Fourth, the use of tactics is unpredictable and resourceful. In adversity, you can turn misfortune into good fortune. In the face of danger, you know how to turn misfortune into good fortune. Such a general is a wise general. The fifth is loyalty and faithfulness. Reward those who have done meritorious deeds and punish those who have done wrong severely. Reward and punishment are clear. Reward without delay and punishment regardless of the status of the other party. Such a general is a trusted general. Sixth, he is nimble, as fast as a horse when rushing into the battle, with a heroic spirit, capable of winning thousands of men, good at defending the country, and good at sword and halberd. Such a general is a footman. The seventh is to be able to climb mountains, take risks, gallop like the wind, take the lead, and be unstoppable. When retreating, the commander can resist the enemy soldiers and cover others. Such a general is a cavalry commander. Eighth, the three armies are invincible. They are cautious and careless in small battles, and are more and more brave in the face of strong enemies. Such generals are powerful generals. The ninth is to meet a wise man with an open mind to ask for advice, to listen to others' opinions like a stream of advice, to be broad-minded, to be lenient and upright, to be brave and decisive, and to be resourceful. Such a general is a great general.

Analysis: This article puts forward the quality cultivation that a general should have, that is to say, points out the moral qualities and talents that must be possessed to become an excellent general. The author put forward a total of nine articles, explaining the content and requirements one by one, which are very specific. These nine requirements can be summarized into two aspects, namely, "virtue" and "talent". There are six requirements for the cultivation of moral quality put forward by the author. In short, they are benevolence, righteousness, courtesy, wisdom, faith, and the proper mind and cultivation of a "general"; In terms of military ability, there are three requirements. The leaders should be proficient in martial arts, have excellent skills in riding, shooting and footwork, and be "superior to the three armies", have excellent courage, take the lead in the battle, and have the spirit of overwhelming the powerful enemy, which can be called the model of the whole army.

It seems that Zhuge Liang's ability to put forward such comprehensive and specific normative requirements and to describe them in such detail is the summary and distillation of his years of military practice experience. These standards are necessary and appropriate as the criteria for selecting generals and the norms for their self-cultivation. According to these nine standards, the generals are required to have both moral integrity and ability to create excellent generals.

Extension example: Qi Huangyang recommends virtuous and selfless

Duke Jin Ping asked Qi Huangyang, "Nanyang is short of a county magistrate. Who do you think is the right one?" Qi Huangyang said, "Xie Hu is the most suitable one." Duke Jin Ping was surprised, "Xie Hu is not your enemy. Why do you recommend him to be an official?" Qi Huangyang replied, "You only asked me who can be a county magistrate, but did not ask me who is the enemy." So Xie Hu was sent to be the county magistrate of Nanyang. He did some good deeds in Nanyang and was praised by the people.

Another day, the Duke of Jin Ping asked Qi Huangyang, "There is no judge in the court. Who do you think is the right one?" Qi Huangyang said, "Qi Wu is the right one." The Duke of Jin Ping was surprised again: "Is Qi Wu not your son? Are you not afraid of others saying that you are going through the back door for your son?" Qi Huangyang replied, "You asked who can be a judge, and did not ask Qi Wu whether he is my son." Qi Wu became a judge, and he was able to enforce the law impartially, which was praised by people.

These two things were later spread, and people who knew them said, "Qi Huangyang is really good. He can recommend anyone who is virtuous and talented, whether he is his enemy or his son. This is the true selflessness!"

Nanwu Master Sakyamuni Buddha. Namo Amitabha. There is no Oriental Glazed Medicine Master Buddha in the south.

Nanwu Guanyin Bodhisattva. Nanwudi Tibetan King Bodhisattva. Nanwukong hides Bodhisattva.

Blessed life is limitless. Yuanshi Tianzun. Lingbao senior. The moral supremacy.

Taiyi saved the bitter god. Confucius, the supreme teacher of Dacheng. Jesus Christ. Mohammed.

All Buddhas and Bodhisattvas of the three generations in ten directions.

All immortals in the three realms and ten directions.

All sages at all times and in all countries.

Don't do any evil, and do all good. Persistence and responsiveness.

智慧宝典：解读《诸葛亮兵法》将材第四 

    做一个真正有大将，必须具备仁、义、礼、智、信五大优秀品质，必须智、勇双全，临危不惧的基本素养。

                             ---诸葛长青

   原文：夫将材有九：道之以德，齐之以礼，而知其饥寒，察其劳苦，此之谓仁将；事无苟免，不为利挠，有死之荣，无生之辱，此之谓义将；贵而不骄，胜而不恃，贤而能下，刚而能忍，此之谓礼将；奇变莫测，动应多端，转祸为福，临危制胜，此之谓智将；进有厚赏，退有严刑，赏不逾时，刑不择贵，此之谓信将；足轻戎马，气盖千夫，善固疆埸，长于剑戟，此之谓步将；登高履险，驰射如飞，进则先行，退则后殿，此之谓骑将；气凌三军，志轻强虏，怯于小战，勇于大敌，此之谓猛将；见贤若不及，从谏如顺流，宽而能刚，勇而多计，此之谓大将。

   译文：根据不同的将帅不同的才干，可以把将帅分为九种类型：一是用自己的德行教育部下，用礼法规范部下的行动，对部下关怀备至，问寒问暖，与部下同甘共苦，这种将帅是仁将。二是做事能不只图眼前消灾去难，还有长远打算，一丝不苟，不被利益所诱惑，宁愿为荣誉献身，也不屈辱求生，这样的将帅是义将。三是身居高位但不盛气凌人，功绩卓著又不骄傲自大，贤德而不清高，谦让比自己地位低的人，个性刚直又能包客他人，这样的将帅是礼将。四是运用战术高深莫测，足智多谋，身处逆境能转祸为福，面临危险又知逢凶化吉，这样的将帅是智将。五是忠诚信实，对有功之人以重赏，以有过之人以重罚，赏罚分明，奖赏时不拖延，惩罚时不管对方的地位高下，这样的将帅是信将。六是身手矫捷，冲锋陷阵时快如战马，气慨豪壮，斗志昂扬能胜千夫，善于保卫国家，又擅长剑戟，这样的将帅是步将。七是能攀高山，走险地，驰马如风，身先士卒，锐不可挡，撤退时在队伍后面抵挡敌兵掩护他人，这样的将帅是骑将。八是气盖三军，所向无敌，对小的战役小心谨慎不马虎，面对强大的敌人则愈战愈勇，这样的将帅是猛将。九是遇见贤者虚心请教，对别人的意见从谏如流，能广开言路，待人宽厚又不失刚直，勇敢果断又富于计谋，这样的将帅是大将。

　　解析：本篇文章提出了为将之人应有的品质修养，也就是指出了成为一员优秀将领所必须具备的道德品质和才干。作者一共提出了九条，逐条说明了内容和要求，十分具体。这九条要求，概括起来可分为两个方面，即我们常说的“德”和“才”。作者提出的道德品质修养方面的要求共有六条，简单说来就是仁、义、礼、智、信以及一员“大将”应有的胸怀和修养；而就军事才干来说，要求是三条，要求领兵将领武艺精熟，骑射步战均有过人之处，而且要“气凌三军”，勇气过人，临战身先士卒，有压倒强敌的气慨，堪称全军楷模。
　　诸葛亮能提出这么全面、具体的规范要求，述说这么细致，看来是他多年军事实践经验的总结和升华。这些标准作为选拔将领的标准和将领自我修养的规范是很必要，很恰当的。按照这九条标准，要求将领做到德才兼备，才能造就出优秀将领。

　　拓例：祁黄羊荐贤无私
　　晋平公问祁黄羊：“南阳缺个县官，你看谁当合适？”祁黄羊说：“解狐最合适。”晋平公很奇怪：“解狐不是你的仇人吗，你为什么要推荐他做官？”祁黄羊答道：“您只问我谁能当县官，并没问我谁是仇人。”于是解狐就被派去做了南阳的县官。他在南阳做了一些好事，得到了百姓的称赞。
　　又有一天，晋平公问祁黄羊：“朝廷里缺个法官，你看谁当合适？”祁黄羊说：“祁午合适。”晋平公又奇怪了：“祁午不是你儿子吗，你不怕别人说你为儿子走后门吗？”祁黄羊答道：“您问的是谁可以当法官，并没有问祁午是不是我儿子。”祁午做了法官，能秉公执法，得到了人们的称赞。
　　这两件事后来传了出去，知道的人都说：“祁黄羊这人可真不错，无论是自己的仇人还是自己的儿子，只要是有德有才的，他都能推荐。这才是真正的大公无私呢！”

南无本师释迦牟尼佛。南无阿弥陀佛。南无东方琉璃药师佛。
南无观世音菩萨。南无地藏王菩萨。南无虚空藏菩萨。
福生无量天尊。元始天尊。灵宝天尊。道德天尊。

太乙救苦天尊。大成至圣先师孔子。耶稣基督。穆罕默德。
十方三世诸佛菩萨。
三界十方一切神仙。
古今中外一切圣贤。

     诸恶莫作，众善奉行。持之以恒、有求必应。     　

(This article is an original article by Zhuge Changqing, and the pictures are selected from the Internet. Welcome to forward it, and please indicate the source for forwarding)

Introduction to Zhuge Changqing: Zhuge Changqing, the inheritor and promoter of traditional Chinese culture, is willing to "learn from sages, promote virtue, revitalize China and benefit the world" together with people with the same ideals in the world.

(Zhuge Changqing: zhuge8031@163.com ）

Zhuge Changqing mailbox：

zhuge8031@163.com

Zhuge Changqing's Chinese Dream

Learn from sages and carry forward virtue

Revitalizing China for the benefit of the world

 （本文是诸葛长青原创文章，图片选自网络。欢迎转发，转发引用请注明出处）

诸葛长青简介：诸葛长青，中国国学传统文化传承弘扬者，愿与天下志同道合者一起“学习圣贤、弘扬善德、振兴中华、造福世界”。

（诸葛长青：zhuge8031@163.com）

Zhuge Changqing mailbox：

zhuge8031@163.com

  诸葛长青中国梦  

学习圣贤 弘扬善德

振兴中华 造福世界

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