12.21

Chapter: The Attack by Fire

12.21

Translation:

But a kingdom that has once been destroyed can never come again into being; nor can the dead ever be brought back to life.

Commentary

Whilst a kingdom may be built again, it is not the same kingdom and will never operate in quite the same way. Defeat changes people. So be careful in conquest, lest you destroy that which you seek to gain.

When you spend the lives of soldiers, they are gone forever. Yet it is a commander’s job to send people to their deaths. So do so wisely and for worthwhile advantage.