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[Chang Yu has the best note on this passage: "Wealth and long

life are things for which all men have a natural inclination.

Hence, if they burn or fling away valuables, and sacrifice their

own lives, it is not that they dislike them, but simply that they

have no choice." Sun Tzŭ is slyly insinuating that, as soldiers

are but human, it is for the general to see that temptations to

shirk fighting and grow rich are not thrown in their way.]

28. On the day they are ordered out to battle, your soldiers may

weep,

[The word in the Chinese is "snivel." This is taken to indicate

more genuine grief than tears alone.]

those sitting up bedewing their garments, and those lying down

letting the tears run down their cheeks.