02.014 When all strength has been exhausted and resources...

[sonshi]

When all strength has been exhausted and resources depleted, all houses in the central plains utterly impoverished, seven-tenths of the citizens' wealth dissipated, the government's expenses from damaged chariots, worn-out horses, armor, helmets, arrows and crossbows, halberds and shields, draft oxen, and heavy supply wagons, will be six-tenths of its reserves.

[markb287]

"When all strength has been exhausted and resources depleted, all houses in the central plains utterly impoverished, seven-tenths of the citizens' wealth dissipated, the government's expenses from damaged chariots, worn-out horses, armor, helmets, arrows and crossbows, halberds and shields, draft oxen, and heavy supply wagons, will be six-tenths of its reserves."-Sun-tzu.

I cannot explain this because it deals with the expenses at the times of Sun-tzu, and not the time of now.

My interpretation of this Sun Tzu excerpt is that he is depicting the fact that Wars, especially protracted wars, envelope the citizen's of a nation and have the real potential to impoverish same.

In addition, I feel that Sun Tzu is indirectly alluding to the fact that in order to win a war, the military MUST have the support of the civilians. In other words, every one must be on the same page, so to speak.

When a nation is at war, it takes a unified, organized and concerted effort to supply the military forces with the victuals that they will need to accomplish their assigned mission. In all of history, I am unaware of any military force that was able to thrive without the moral, material and financial support of the citizenry.

In addition, I think Sun Tzu is making a comment on the interconnectedness of the home economy and supplying the war effort. One could also argue that this excerpt is related to Sun Tzu's insistence that Estimates be completed in advance of engaging a foe. Sun Tzu knew better than most the critical role that logistics play.

As most of you know, an ancient army on the move, especially a large one, consumed an enormous amount of resources. Thus, this excerpt is also connected to Master Wu's admonishment that one should live off of the enemy whenever possible.

Thankfully, prosecuting wars is generally a very expensive thing to do. And thank goodness that is the case because if it were not so expensive a proposition, mankind likely would have killed off the human race long ago.

Mankind is funny that way.

-BingFa

-BingFa

Great pov from Bing Fa!

An example relating to Bing Fa's opinion is the Vietnam conflict. The US military did not get the proper support from their citizens and the politicians.

[gonzo]

As the cash flow decreases, the equipment will begin to fail from lack of maintenance and/or replacement.

Gonzo

[MonteChristo]

Building army takes a lot of time effort and energy. Re-building it takes even more resources as usually you have limited time to do it. So you have to make an exchange and use currently owned assets to re-build the army. This impoverishes people/organization and makes it less and less competitive and more vulnerable to external attacks and takeovers. That is why you should avoid loosing resource at all costs. The timing is very crucial. You should be able to defend yourself at all times.

Sun Tzu said, "When all strength has been exhausted and resources depleted, all houses in the central plains utterly impoverished, seven-tenths of the citizens' wealth dissipated, the government's expenses from damaged chariots, worn-out horses, armor, helmets, arrows and crossbows, halberds and shields, draft oxen, and heavy supply wagons, will be six-tenths of its reserves."

War is a serious and expensive matter.

When a countries scarce resources have been expended on materiel and logistics, the result will be a burden that will not be eased for generations (If at all).

"When all strength has been exhausted and resources depleted, all houses in the central plains utterly impoverished, seven-tenths of the citizens' wealth dissipated, the government's expenses from damaged chariots, worn-out horses, armor, helmets, arrows and crossbows, halberds and shields, draft oxen, and heavy supply
wagons, will be six-tenths of its reserves. "

Sunzi continues the description of the economic and political consequences of a protracted war.

but it could also be an explicative note by earlier commentators.

[Dan]

When all strength has been exhausted and resources depleted, all houses in the central plains utterly impoverished, seven-tenths of the citizens' wealth dissipated, the government's expenses from damaged chariots, worn-out horses, armor, helmets, arrows and crossbows, halberds and shields, draft oxen, and heavy supply wagons, will be six-tenths of its reserves.

War is expensive and when fought improperly or over a long period of time (both of which could be considered the same thing) it depletes the resources of the government and the citizenry. Bringing economic ruin.

[dej2]

When all strength has been exhausted and resources depleted, all houses in the central plains utterly impoverished, seven-tenths of the citizens' wealth dissipated, the government's expenses from damaged chariots, worn-out horses, armor, helmets, arrows and crossbows, halberds and shields, draft oxen, and heavy supply wagons, will be six-tenths of its reserves.
Sawyer’s Translation
"When their strength has been expended and their wealth depleted, then the houses in the central plains will be empty. The expenses of the hundred surnames will be some seven-tenths of whatever they have. The ruler’s irrecoverable expenditures—such as ruined chariots, exhausted horses, armor, helmets, arrows and crossbows, halberd-tipped and spear-tip (large, movable) protective shields, strong oxen, and large wagons—will consume six-tenths of his resources."

The Central Plains of China include the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, it is said to be the origins of the Chinese nation.

In other words the heart of China will be in ruin, due to the expense of waging war. He then give numerous examples of items that must be incurred to wage war. Afterwards Sun Tzu gives an estimated cost of 7/10 of the people’s wealth will be used to wage war; 6/10 of the ruler/governments wealth will be depleted in waging war.

If we move on to the next paragraph, Sun Tzu re-emphasizes the need to take supplies from the enemy. A wise general will not deplete his own nation’s resources but take those from the enemy.

NOTE: In Sun Tzu's era, Central Plains was indeed the center of China, Today it lies towards northern region of China, but is still considered the Central Plains region. If you ever plan a vacation in China, you may book a tour that covers the "Central Plains" region. The culture in this area is a national treasure and the local customs vividly demonstrate traditional Chinese culture. The customs in Shanxi, Henan, Shandong, Tianjin and Beijing evolved from the same roots and thus share many similarities. But there are also differences between regions. Visitors to these areas can discover the long history of traditional Chinese culture while learning about the Chinese descendants who live in various regions.

Wars are expensive. Conflict of all stripes has related costs. It again brings me to a cental questions:
1) Why am I fighting in the first place.
2) If I am fighting how can I be victorious in an efficient manner.

Seems reasonable to me.

pawn11

[waterbearer]

When all strength has been exhausted and resources depleted, all houses in the central plains utterly impoverished, seven-tenths of the citizens' wealth dissipated, the government's expenses from damaged chariots, worn-out horses, armor, helmets, arrows and crossbows, halberds and shields, draft oxen, and heavy supply wagons, will be six-tenths of its reserves.

There is a limit to what a nation can provide its army. A wise general understands this, and knowing that the Calculation has been honored in the planning phase preceding the war, the wise general will have planned for the utilization of resources secured from the adversary.

[Truthseeker]

When all strength has been exhausted and resources depleted, all houses in the central plains utterly impoverished, seven-tenths of the citizens' wealth dissipated, the government's expenses from damaged chariots, worn-out horses, armor, helmets, arrows and crossbows, halberds and shields, draft oxen, and heavy supply wagons, will be six-tenths of its reserves.

I think this is a follow-up to the previous passage. Expense is a major part of competition and it should be looked upon seriously. Again ST warns of the ramifications expenses can have on one's organization if a tight rein is not applied.

[pol0311]

When all strength has been exhausted and resources depleted, all houses in the central plains utterly impoverished, seven-tenths of the citizens' wealth dissipated, the government's expenses from damaged chariots, worn-out horses, armor, helmets, arrows and crossbows, halberds and shields, draft oxen, and heavy supply wagons, will be six-tenths of its reserves.

Prolonged wars task a country and its people causing great strife finacially. The people become poor due to supplying the Army and resourses are depleted becaus eof the carnage caused by war. This is why Sun Tzu says the acme of skill is to win without fighting. The cost of war is extraordinary economically and personally.

[maxx]

When all strength has been exhausted and resources depleted, all houses in the central plains utterly impoverished, seven-tenths of the citizens' wealth dissipated, the government's expenses from damaged chariots, worn-out horses, armor, helmets, arrows and crossbows, halberds and shields, draft oxen, and heavy supply wagons, will be six-tenths of its reserves.

Now you seeking all that you can get cause the peoples energy to be dissapated.

Sorry this is such a sort post, i dont have much time.

Good day!