Eric Henry
A passage in Sima’s Art of Warfare1 says, “A state, though big, will perish if it is fond of war; but, if it forgets warfare, it will be in danger even if all the realm is at peace.” A passage in the Changes says, “A man of quality keeps weapons in readiness so as to be prepared for the unpredictable.” Weapons, let us note, cannot be treated as playthings—one who acts thus will lose his authority; but to abolish them is to invite invaders into the state.