The Methods of the Sima

穰苴Jul 2024

4.0

Word count: 4.4K words
Chapters: 6

Summary

A military classic from the pre-Qin period, it is the oldest surviving body of military thought in China, preserving some highly classical combat principles of the early Spring and Autumn period and bearing a strong aristocratic flavor. According to the "Biography of Sima Rangju" in Records of the Grand Historian: "King Wei of Qi ordered his grand officers to trace and discuss the ancient Sima military methods, and appended Rangju within them, hence calling it the Sima Rangju Military Methods." The Sima Rangju mentioned here was a man of Qi in the late Spring and Autumn period, originally surnamed Tian and named Rangju; he once led troops to victory over Jin and Yan, and was later appointed by Duke Jing of Qi as Grand Marshal in charge of military affairs, and later generations respectfully called him Sima Rangju. Also according to the "Treatise on Literature" in the Book of Han, the original Sima Fa consisted of one hundred and fifty-five scrolls. Unfortunately, most of what has come down to us is lost, and only five chapters remain.

Editor's review

The Sima Fa is one of the oldest surviving military classics, preserving rather classical combat principles of the early Spring and Autumn period and carrying a strong aristocratic flavor between its lines, quite unlike the strategy-centered military books of later ages. Only five chapters survive today; though not a complete text, they suffice to show how early military thought discussed war with ritual institutions, legal standards, and benevolence as its underpinnings. Its statements on the aims of war, military organization, and principles of reward and punishment make it both a military document and important material for understanding pre-Qin institutions and ideas. The pleasure of reading it lies not in acquiring clever stratagems but in appreciating a view of war that stresses proper names and restraint, and in setting it against later military books such as The Art of War. It is suitable for close reading as a short text in a pre-Qin classics seminar, and for casual browsing by readers interested in ancient ritual and military systems. The text is brief, but annotations and background knowledge determine the depth of understanding.

Who it's for

A good fit for

General readers interested in pre-Qin military classics and ancient military thought
Students of literature and history researching pre-Qin ritual, military systems, and views of war
Military classics enthusiasts who wish to read the Sima Fa alongside The Art of War
Instructors who need short classical Chinese texts for close reading in courses or reading groups

Not a good fit for

Readers of military books expecting a complete system of warfare and abundant practical stratagems
Complete beginners with no classical Chinese who need line-by-line vernacular translation to read
Readers interested only in modern military theory and not in ancient ritual background

Reading tips

First read the "Biography of Sima Rangju" in Records of the Grand Historian to understand the figure and the background of the text's composition, then proceed to the main text.
Choose an annotated critical edition, read each chapter closely, and mark passages concerning ritual institutions and rewards and punishments.
Compare selected passages with The Art of War, contrasting the two works' views on the aims and means of war.
After reading, summarize each of the five chapters in one or two sentences to check whether you have grasped the main points.

版权信息
仁本
天子之义
定爵
严位
用众

FAQ

Only five chapters survive today—is it still worth reading?

Yes. Though not a complete text, the five chapters preserve relatively classical combat principles and views on managing the army from the early Spring and Autumn period, and are important material for studying early military thought. Their brevity actually makes them suitable for close reading; with annotations and background materials, one can gain a concrete understanding of pre-Qin views of war.

How does this book differ from The Art of War?

The Sima Fa has a strong aristocratic flavor, emphasizing ritual institutions, proper names, and restraint when discussing war, and preserving earlier classical combat principles; The Art of War focuses more on stratagem, circumstance, and methods of using troops. Reading the two together reveals the changes in pre-Qin military thought over time.

What background knowledge is needed to read this book?

It is advisable first to have basic classical Chinese reading ability and some knowledge of Spring and Autumn period ritual and military systems. Knowing about Sima Rangju and the tradition that King Wei of Qi traced and discussed the ancient Sima military methods helps in understanding the nature of the text. The rest can be gradually supplied through annotations while reading.

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About the author

穰苴 Author

Rangju is a figure in the Chinese military tradition whose identity and life are poorly documented. Publicly available sources give no clear record of his birthplace, dates of birth and death, or specific experiences, and he is usually associated with the book The Methods of the Sima. The library holds two works under his name: The Methods of the Sima and a modern Chinese edition of the same text, the latter being an edition or translation designed for contemporary readers. In subject matter, these works belong to ancient military thought and the arts of governance and warfare, touching also on ritual institutions, legal norms, and organizational discipline. The language is concise and practical, often presenting principles in short chapters and aphoristic statements. Common classifications place the works under Eastern philosophy and miscellaneous prose, indicating that their influence extends beyond military affairs and that they are also read for their thought and style. Since verifiable biographical details are scarce, an introduction to Rangju should center on the works themselves and on the transmission and reception of his military ideas, rather than adding unconfirmed details about his life.