A warlike state, however big it may be, will eventually perish.
In Si Ma Fa (The Marshal's Art of War), it was written, "A warlike state, however big it may be, will eventually perish; the world in peace, if relaxing vigilance against war, will face danger."
The ancient Chinese held that benevolence should be applied in handling disputes, and that a war of justice would also exhaust a nation's resources. This idea reflects the dialectical relation between war and state power, and proves the Chinese love for peace.
Xi Jinping has talked about this idea on several diplomatic occasions. At the China International Friendship Cities Conference and the 60th anniversary of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, held in May 2014, he said: The Chinese ancestors knew that "A warlike state, however big it may be, will eventually perish." China will follow peaceful development, and the Chinese people are willing to coexist with other nations in harmony and peace, and pursue, protect and enjoy peace together.
国虽大，好战必亡
《司马法》之《仁本》篇写道，“国虽大，好战必亡；天下虽安，忘战必危”。这一箴言意指一个国家无论再怎么强大，如果不断进行战争也会灭亡；天下虽然安定但要居安思危，一味享乐、忘记备战就会出现危机。中国古人认为，应该本着仁爱精神处理问题，即便是正义战争，也会消耗国力。这种思想既体现了战争与国家兴衰的辩证关系，也彰显了中华民族爱好和平的精神。
习近平曾在多个外交场合引用“国虽大，好战必亡”。2014年5月，他在中国国际友好大会暨中国人民对外友好协会成立60周年纪念活动上指出，中国的先人早就知道“国虽大，好战必亡”的道理。中国坚持走和平发展道路，中国人民愿意同世界各国人民和睦相处、和谐发展，共谋和平、共护和平、共享和平。