30 以道佐人主者 不以兵強天下

老子道德經第三十章

以道佐人主者　不以兵強天下
其事好遠　師之所處　荊棘生焉
　　　　　大軍之後　必有凶年
善者果而已　不以取強
果而勿矜　果而勿伐　果而勿驕
果而不得已　果而勿強
物壯則老　是謂不道　不道早已

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THIRTY

Whenever you advise a ruler in the way of Tao,
Counsel him not to use force to conquer the universe.
For this would only cause resistance.
Thorn bushes spring up wherever the army has passed.
Lean years follow in the wake of a great war.
Just do what needs to be done.
Never take advantage of power.

Achieve results,
But never glory in them.
Achieve results,
But never boast.
Achieve results,
But never be proud.
Achieve results,
Because this is the natural way.
Achieve results,
But not through violence.

Force is followed by loss of strength.
This is not the way of Tao.
That which goes against the Tao comes to an early end.

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30. (11/6/2004)

A Taoist does not use force to win other nations in the world.
If one uses force, one has to deal with the consequences:
After the army has passed, the land becomes barren;
When the war is finished, there will be years of famine.

The one who knows how to use force knows not to abuse power.
The goal of war should not be pride, arrogance, demonstration,
War should be the last resort.

He who is too strong will only weaken and decline;
He who uses force to win the world is against Tao;
He who is against Tao will only come to an early end.