bīng qiáng ér wú yì zhě cán 兵强而无义者残
A Strong Army Without Righteousness Is Destructive.
军力强大而不行正义的国家必定是破坏性的。“义”即道义、正义;“残”即祸害、残害。自古以来,每一个有作为的治理者,无不希望“富国强兵”,但在此之上,还有一个更高的原则,那就是“义”。“义”是中华民族超越一切物质利益的精神崇尚。如果不行正义,强大军力带来的只能是祸害。
A state that has a strong army but acts without righteousness is bound to be destructive. Since ancient times, all rulers with high ideals have pursued a wealthy state and a strong army. However, there is a more important principle than this, i.e., the principle of righteousness which is a supreme ethical pursuit of the Chinese nation that is above all material interests. A strong army that practices no righteousness is bound to bring harm.
引例 Citations:
◎功成而不信者,殆;兵强而无义者,残。(《管子·侈靡》)
(功业刚成便不讲信用,必定危险;军力强大而不行正义,必定带来祸害。)
It is dangerous to become untrustworthy following success. A strong army without righteousness is destructive. (Guanzi)