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.

國雖大，好戰必亡

《司馬法》之《仁本》篇寫道，“國雖大，好戰必亡；天下雖安，忘戰必危”。這一箴言意指一個國家無論再怎么強大，如果不斷進行戰爭也會滅亡；天下雖然安定但要居安思危，一味享樂、忘記備戰就會出現危機。中國古人認為，應該本著仁愛精神處理問題，即便是正義戰爭，也會消耗國力。這種思想既體現了戰爭與國家興衰的辯證關系，也彰顯了中華民族愛好和平的精神。

習近平曾在多個外交場合引用“國雖大，好戰必亡”。2014年5月，他在中國國際友好大會暨中國人民對外友好協會成立60周年紀念活動上指出，中國的先人早就知道“國雖大，好戰必亡”的道理。中國堅持走和平發展道路，中國人民愿意同世界各國人民和睦相處、和諧發展，共謀和平、共護和平、共享和平。