Concerning the warriors of the enemy that have not fallen before you: treat them with respect, especially if they have fought with all of their hearts. They can be made into allies and will serve you with great zeal if they learn respect for you. It does not matter that they have fallen. Perhaps their leaders were not as good as they thought they were and did not plan adequately. Perhaps their leaders demanded too much of them. The reasons are countless and you can do nothing to enhance your understanding of victory in war by pondering another’s reasons for failure. You must carefully analyze the actions that brought you victory and, in that manner, determine where the enemy was weak.
Ever so intelligently, and with compassion, bring the enemy warriors into your own fold. But do not bunch them together; they can rise up against you when they realize what has happened. That is why it is well to reward the warriors of the enemy that have given great battle. Warriors are warriors and do not concern themselves with anything less than war. Do not humiliate them in their defeat. Do not deride their past masters more than is necessary to assert control for the benefit of all concerned.
If war is waged it must be for the benefit of all. This includes the people of the beaten country as well. If this attitude is not understood and prevalent then perhaps you are just a barbarian. If so, you will eventually fall. Do not think that because you have won in combat that you are invincible. The strength of your victory also depends on the weakness of your enemy, which you must have determined. After victory is attained, be prepared to govern the conquered. The people will do your bidding once you have their trust and if they believe you have done for them as you have done for your own people.
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