장수將帥의 역할과 덕목 ― 《손자병법》을 중심으로

The purpose of this article is to understand the role and virtue of the commander in "The Art of War". Sun Tzu(孫子) saw the war as a serious matter of life and death of the people and the survival of the nation. Sun Tzu maintained a very cautious stance on the war based on the principle of stabilizing the country and preserving the army. Sun Tzu thought that making the enemy surrender by allies’ tactic without fighting was the best way and a complete victory in the war. To do this, it is necessary to lay the foundations for winning in everyday life and to create conditions to win during wartime. It is the commander who plays this role. The commander must have the virtues of wise, trust, affection, courage, and dignity. The commander must know all the knowledge about the military affairs as well as the operation in depth, to be trusted by the soldiers, to love the soldiers, and to have the courage and dignity to judge them objectively. These virtues must be exercised in a natural and timely manner so that the subordinates will sincerely obey and fight with desperate determination.