The Capacities of Generals

The capacity of a general—the function he can bear—varies in magnitude. One who can perceive treachery, foresee calamity, and be trusted by the crowd is a commander of ten. One who rises early and retires late, whose words are cautious and thorough, is a commander of a hundred. One who is upright yet capable of deep thought, brave and able to fight, is a commander of a thousand. One who is outwardly commanding and inwardly fervent, who understands others’ diligence and empathizes with their hunger and cold, is a commander of ten thousand. One who recommends the worthy and capable, grows more prudent day by day, is trustworthy and magnanimous, and is adept at governing disorder, is a commander of a hundred thousand. One whose benevolence and love reach his subordinates, whose trustworthiness and righteousness win over neighboring states, who understands astronomy above, examines human affairs in the middle, knows geography below, and regards all within the four seas as his own household—this is a commander of the world. Modern Application:This chapter and the......