In Ssu-ma Ch'ien's 'Apologies for War,' what does he claim will be the result for a country whose scholars 'can only bark out their stale formulas about "virtue" and "civilization," condemning the use of military weapons?'
Explanation
This question examines the reader's understanding of the pro-warfare arguments presented in the 'Apologies for War' section, which serve as a counterpoint to the common perception of Chinese philosophy as purely pacific.
Other questions
According to the biography by Ssu-ma Ch‘ien, what was the native state of Sun Tzu Wu?
In the account of Sun Tzu testing his theory on palace ladies, what did Sun Tzu say was the general's fault if orders were not clear and thoroughly understood?
What reason did King Ho Lu give for wishing that his two favorite concubines not be beheaded?
According to the Preface to the Project Gutenberg Etext, who produced the first translation of 'The Art of War' into a European language?
In the bibliographic section of the HAN SHU, how many P'IEN (chapters) and CHUAN (diagrams) were attributed to the works of Sun Tzu of Wu?
What is the primary argument used by the scholar Yeh Shui-hsin to cast doubt on the historical existence of Sun Wu?
Who does Ts'ao Ts'ao (Wei Wu Ti) identify as the author of the earliest commentary on Sun Tzu?
What is the key characteristic of Ts'ao Ts'ao's notes on Sun Tzu, as described in section 1.3?
What contemporary affair does the introduction cite from passages in Sun Tzu's text (VI. ss. 21 and XI. ss. 30) as evidence for the date of its composition?
Which commentator is described as a poet of distinction whose work was praised by the great Ou-yang Hsiu for brushing aside prejudices and bringing out the true meaning of Sun Tzu?
According to the introduction, what was Sun Hsing-yen's contribution to the text of 'The Art of War' in the late 18th century?
What is the conclusion of the introduction's author regarding the historical timeline of Sun Tzu's life, based on the internal evidence of the text mentioning Yueh?
Which commentator is noted for his lucid exposition and for expanding on the often obscure, terse sentences of Ts'ao Kung's commentary?
How many ladies from the Palace were brought out for Sun Tzu to drill in the test for King Ho Lu?
Which king of Wu gave Sun Tzu the opportunity to test his theories of managing soldiers?
According to the preface, Lionel Giles's 1910 edition of 'The Art of War' is described as the most what?
What does Tu Mu argue in his preface to his commentary on Sun Tzu, regarding the nature of war?
How long did the reign of Ho Lu, King of Wu, last according to the footnote in section 1.1?
Which commentator's notes are described as being taken from his larger encyclopedic treatise, the T'UNG TIEN?
What is the title of Chapter 1 of the book?
In his preface, Ts'ao Ts'ao mentions two examples of rulers who perished due to their reliance on exclusively warlike or peaceful measures. Who were they?
What is the earliest direct written reference to Sun Tzu mentioned in the introduction, predating the SHIH CHI?
What summary of Sun Tzu's work is provided by the commentator Tu Mu?
According to the introduction, which famous Chinese general, who lived from 1103 to 1141 A.D., is known to have studied Sun Tzu's pages with enthusiasm?
What is the reason given by Ch'ao Kung-wu for the flourishing of commentaries on Sun Tzu during the early years of the Sung dynasty?
Sun Tzu's descendant, Sun Pin, is said to have had what done to him, according to a quote from the historian's preface in section 1.1?
In the table of dates provided in section 1.1, what event is listed for the year 506 B.C.?
The introduction's author reconstructs an outline of Sun Tzu's life based on conjecture. What does he speculate was Sun Tzu's role during the investment of Ying?
According to Sun Hsing-yen's preface, why was 'The Art of War' not widely expounded upon by military commanders during the Ch'in and Han dynasties?
What does the literary man Cheng Hou claim about Sun Tzu's 13 chapters in his 'Impartial Judgments in the Garden of Literature'?
How many 'Five Commentators' are mentioned by name in section 1.3 as being part of one work?
In the anecdote about Sun Tzu's test, what was his response to King Ho Lu's request not to execute the concubines?
What is the primary characteristic of the commentary by Ch'en Hao, according to section 1.3?
What argument does the introduction's author make based on the fact that authors from different epochs quote 'The Art of War'?
In the apology for war by Ssu-ma Ch'ien, military chastisement is compared to what two things?
What does the author of the introduction believe happened to Sun Tzu after the events described by Ssu-ma Ch'ien?
Which translator's version of 'The Art of War' is described in the preface as 'excessively bad' and full of 'downright blunders'?
According to the scholar Ch'en Chen-sun, what makes the period in which Sun Wu lived uncertain?
What is the primary theme of the section titled 'Apologies for War' (1.5)?
How many major commentators on Sun Tzu are discussed in detail in section 1.3, 'The Commentators'?
What does the introduction's author suggest is the origin of the legend connecting Sun Tzu with the capture of Ying?
Which T'ang dynasty commentator was impelled to write a new commentary because he found Ts'ao Kung's too obscure and Tu Mu's too long-winded?
What is the date on the title page of this specific translation of 'The Art of War' by Lionel Giles?
According to the introduction's author, what makes Sun Tzu's maxims feel like they were distilled from personal observation and experience?
Which chapter in the table of contents is titled 'THE USE OF SPIES'?
What is the first of the 'Apologies for War' in section 1.5 attributed to?
In the anecdote from Ssu-ma Ch'ien's biography, after the women were properly drilled, what was King Ho Lu's response to Sun Tzu's message that the troops were ready for inspection?
What is a key difference highlighted in the preface between Lionel Giles's translation and Samuel B. Griffith's translation of 'The Art of War'?
What does Sun Hsing-yen, the editor of the 'standard text', claim about his own family heritage in his preface?