富國為本
Enriching the State as the Foundation
威王問孫子曰："..齊士教寡人強兵者，皆不同道。..[有]教寡人以政教者，有教寡人以..[有教]寡人以散糧者，有教寡人以靜者，..之教□□行之教奚..[孫子曰]："..皆非強兵之急者也。"威[王]..孫子曰："富國。"威王曰："富國..厚威王、宣王以勝諸侯，至於.."
King Wei asked Sun Bin: '... The Qi scholars who have instructed me on strengthening the army all advocate different methods. [...] Some have taught me through governance and education. Some have taught me through [...]. Some have taught me through distributing grain. Some have taught me through maintaining calm. [...] Which of these teachings [should I follow]?' Sun Bin said: '... None of these is the most urgent matter for strengthening the army.' King Wei [...]. Sun Bin said: 'Enrich the state.' King Wei said: 'Enriching the state [...]... the wealth of King Wei and King Xuan enabled them to defeat the other lords, until [...]'
Notes
This chapter survives in extremely fragmentary condition. The key surviving insight is Sun Bin's answer that the foundation of military strength is economic prosperity (富國). This aligns with the Guanzi tradition and anticipates the Legalist emphasis on 'enriching the state and strengthening the army' (富國強兵). The mention of King Xuan (齊宣王, r. 319–301 BC) suggests this passage may include later editorial additions.
King Xuan of Qi (齊宣王, r. 319–301 BC) was the son and successor of King Wei. Under his reign Qi reached its peak power, but his aggressive campaigns — including the conquest of Yan in 314 BC — provoked the coalition that nearly destroyed Qi under his successor.