Chinese Idiom: 春秋无义战 (Chun Qiu Wu Yi Zhan)
English Translation: No just wars in the Spring and Autumn period
pīn yīn: chūn qiū wú yì zhàn
Idiom Meaning: This idiom indicates that during the Spring and Autumn period, there were no just wars, and it broadly refers to wars that lack justice.
Historical Source: Book “孟子” (Mencius), specifically in the chapter “尽心下” (The Heart of Benevolence).
Idiom Story:
In a dialogue with Gongsun Chou, Mencius was asked about the character of King Hui of Liang. Mencius responded, describing the king as lacking in benevolence. He explained that a benevolent person would extend kindness to those he does not favor, while an unkind person would inflict harm on those he loves through the suffering of those he dislikes.
Mencius illustrated his point by recounting how King Hui exploited his disliked subjects, forcing them into battle for land, leading to their deaths in vain. When they suffered defeat, he would then send his favored sons to fight, further endangering those he cared about. This behavior exemplified the king’s disregard for justice.
Mencius further stated, “春秋无义战,” emphasizing that during the Spring and Autumn period, wars fought by various states were primarily motivated by land disputes and were devoid of any moral righteousness. Although some rulers may have been slightly better than others, the overarching theme was the absence of just wars.
This saying serves as a critique of warfare and highlights the idea that conflicts driven by selfish motives lack ethical justification, a perspective that remains relevant in discussions of war and ethics today.
