The Art of War and Leadership
How do you lead a mass of people? How do you choose a commander? How do you handle victory?
Hexagram 7 (Shih/The Army) is the ultimate guide to organization and discipline. It warns that war concerns the survival of the nation and must never be launched without a Just Cause.
The hexagram outlines the core principles of successful leadership:
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Strict Discipline: At the very beginning (Line 1), order must be established. An army without discipline is doomed.
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The Right Commander: The leader (Line 2) must be a "Veteran"—experienced, centered, and respected by the masses.
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Unified Command: There must be only one voice. If incompetent people hold power (Line 3) or interfere with the general, defeat is certain.
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Know When to Retreat: If the situation is unfavorable (Line 4), retreating is not failure; it is a strategic move to preserve strength.
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The Trap of Victory: When the war is won (Top Line), reward your soldiers generously. But the I Ching gives a crucial warning: "Do not use Inferior Men (Small Men) in power." You can give them gold for their bravery, but never give them political power, or they will create chaos later.
Summary: The purpose of an army is to protect the people and maintain justice, not to satisfy ambition. Great power brings great danger. As civilization advances and weapons become more destructive, we must remember the Dao: Ultimate force must be controlled by ultimate compassion.
