6
Now you may have strong armor and sharp weapons,[1]
but if
they are not sufficient to undertake an expedition against the
enemy or to defeat the foe,[2]
[it is just the same as not having
weapons at all].[3]
Your bow may be good and the arrows may
match, but if they are not sufficient to shoot far and to hit a small
mark, [it is just the same as having no bow and arrows]. If the
people are not equal to being put to hard service against a formidable
enemy, it is just the same as not having the people at
all. Just as a thousand
li of boulders does not mean you have
any [real] territory, even so a million
[4]
ignorant citizens does not
mean you have the people. The Ode says,
[5]
In the south is the Sieve,
But it is of no use to sift.
In the north is the Ladle,
But it lades out no liquor.