Now in order to kill the enemy, our men must be roused to anger; that there may be advantage from defeating the enemy, they must have their rewards.
Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War” is a comprehensive guide to successful military strategy that has been studied for centuries. In Chapter 2, Sun Tzu discusses the importance of maintaining resources and minimizing expenses during a campaign. In verse 16, he touches upon the importance of motivating soldiers and rewarding them for their service.
According to Sun Tzu, anger is a powerful motivator for soldiers. It helps them fight with greater intensity and determination, ultimately increasing the chances of success on the battlefield. Therefore, a wise general should seek to rouse the anger of his soldiers towards the enemy. However, this does not mean that soldiers should be allowed to run amok and engage in senseless violence. Rather, they should be trained to channel their anger into effective and strategic action.
In addition to rousing their anger, soldiers must also be rewarded for their service. This is important for several reasons. Firstly, rewards motivate soldiers to fight harder and perform better. They feel valued and appreciated, and they are more likely to go above and beyond the call of duty if they know that their efforts will be recognized and rewarded. Secondly, rewards also help to build loyalty and unity within the army. When soldiers feel that they are part of a team that values their contributions, they are more likely to work together and support one another.
The rewards that soldiers receive should be appropriate to their level of contribution and the success of the campaign. Generals must strike a balance between being generous enough to keep soldiers motivated, but not so generous that they deplete their resources and undermine the campaign.
In summary, Sun Tzu’s advice in verse 16 emphasizes the importance of motivating soldiers through the strategic use of anger, as well as the need to reward them appropriately for their service. These principles remain relevant to military strategy today, and can be applied to other areas of life where motivation and rewards play a crucial role.
Geoff Willis is an accomplished restaurateur and chef with over two decades in the culinary world, blending his passion for gastronomy with an extensive study of philosophy. Known for his innovative approach to cooking and deep commitment to sustainable practices, Geoff combines the art of flavors with philosophical insights, offering readers a unique perspective on food and life.