非攻(下)

To take Heaven's people and attack Heaven's cities, to slaughter Heaven's subjects, strip the spirits of their positions, overthrow the altars of soil and grain, and kill the sacrificial animals -- this does not serve the interests of Heaven above. Does one intend it to benefit the spirits? To kill people and destroy the spirits' patrons, to abolish the former kings and cruelly oppress the myriad people until the hundred families are scattered -- this does not serve the interests of the spirits in the middle. Does one intend it to benefit the people? To kill people as a means of benefiting people is a most generous reckoning indeed!

Master Mozi said: 'You have not examined the categories in my arguments and have not understood their reasoning. Those cases were not what is called "offensive war" -- they were what is called "righteous punishment."'

Master Mozi said: 'Now if there were someone who could truly demonstrate concern for the benefit of the realm's feudal lords -- when a great state acts unrighteously, he shares their worry; when a great state attacks a small state, he joins in rescuing it; when a small state's walls are not intact, he sees to their repair; when their grain runs out, he supplies it; when their silk and cloth are insufficient, he shares his own. By thus demonstrating concern for great states, the rulers of small states would be pleased.'

Therefore Master Mozi said: 'Now the kings, dukes, great men, and scholars of the realm who truly desire to promote the realm's benefits and eliminate its harms should recognize that frequent wars of conquest are in fact the greatest harm of the realm. Those who desire to practice benevolence and righteousness, who seek to be superior scholars, who above wish to accord with the Way of the sage kings and below wish to serve the interests of the state and the people -- they must examine the doctrine of condemning offensive warfare, and this must not go unexamined!'