A THREAD THROUGH THE TEXT
Conflict
The text repeatedly asks what force costs. These chapters consider weapons, rivalry, and the possibility of meeting conflict without aggression.
Against the use of force
以道佐人主者，不以兵强天下。
He who would assist a lord of men in harmony with the Tao will not assert his mastery in the kingdom by force of arms. Such a course is sure to meet with…
Read chapterWeapons and sorrow
夫佳兵者，不祥之器，物或恶之，故有道者不处。
Now arms, however beautiful, are instruments of evil omen, hateful, it may be said, to all creatures. Therefore they who have the Tao do not like to…
Read chapterThe virtue of not contending
善为士者不武，善战者不怒，善胜敌者不与，善用人者为之下，是谓不争之德，是谓用人之力，是谓配天古之极。
68. He who in (Tao's) wars has skill Assumes no martial port; He who fights with most good will To rage makes no resort. He who vanquishes yet still Keeps…
Read chapterThe reluctant warrior
用兵有言：「吾不敢为主而为客，不敢进寸而退尺。
A master of the art of war has said, 'I do not dare to be the host (to commence the war); I prefer to be the guest (to act on the defensive). I do not…
Read chapterHeaven’s net
勇于敢则杀，勇于不敢则活。
He whose boldness appears in his daring (to do wrong, in defiance of the laws) is put to death; he whose boldness appears in his not daring (to do so)…
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