Precautions

Among the great affairs of the state, none is more urgent than vigilance and defense. Once there is the slightest error in precaution, the consequences can differ by a thousand li; the army may be wiped out and the general killed, and the reversal of the situation may occur in less than a breath—how can this not inspire fear? Therefore, when crisis arises, ruler and ministers skip meals and plan together, selecting worthy people and appointing them. If one remains in safety without thinking of danger, and does not know to be alert when the enemy arrives, this is like a swallow building its nest on a door curtain or a fish swimming in a cauldron—destruction will not wait until nightfall. The Zuo Zhuan says: “Without preparation and without anticipating dangers, one cannot send forth an army.” It also says: “Preparing in advance and leaving nothing unforeseen is the good governance praised by the ancients.” It also says: “Even bees and scorpions have venom for self-defense—how much more so a state!” Without preparation, no matter how many people there are, they cannot......