Types of Generalship

There are nine types of talent for generalship. One who leads his troops with virtue, regulates them with ritual propriety, and at the same time understands their hunger and cold and knows their toil and hardship—such a person is a “general of benevolence.” One who does not shrink from hardship and danger in action, is not bent by profit, regards dying in battle as honor and surviving in disgrace as shame—such a person is a “general of righteousness.” One who is honored without arrogance, victorious without self-conceit, worthy yet able to humble himself before others, firm and upright yet able to restrain himself and endure—such a person is a “general of propriety.” One whose tactical changes are unfathomable, whose responses are endlessly varied, who can turn calamity into an advantageous situation and seize victory in crisis—such a person is a “general of wisdom.” One who gives heavy rewards for advancing and severe punishment for retreating, whose rewards are not delayed and whose punishments are not applied differently according to high or low status—such a......