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Word Gems exploring self-realization, sacred personhood, and full humanity
Lao Tzu Tao Te Ching: quotes featuring war
from https://www.taoistic.com/taoquotes/ To the Taoist, war is utter failure to follow Tao, the Way. Tao Te Ching, the great Taoist classic, speaks about it with both sadness and bitterness, giving concrete advice on how to diminish its destructive consequences, and what measures may keep it from re-emerging. Below are those chapters, out of the 81 in Tao Te Ching, which deal mainly with the gruesome topic of war and how it can be avoided.
Do not want the world subdued with weapons. Such deeds bring on retaliation. Thorn bushes grow where armies have camped. Battles are followed by years of famine. Therefore, good leaders reach solutions, And then stop. They do not dare to rely on force.
Solutions without scorn, Solutions without pride, Solutions without benefit, Solutions without domination.
This is going against the Way. What goes against the Way meets an early end.
They are abhorred by all creatures. Anyone who follows the Way shuns them.
At war, he honors the right side.
They are not the noble ruler's tools. He only uses them when he can't avoid it. Peace and quiet are preferred. Victory should not be praised. Those who praise victory relish manslaughter. Those who relish manslaughter Cannot reach their goals in the world.
At times of grief, the right side is honored. At battle, the second in command stands to the left, And the commander in chief to the right. This means they stand as in funerals.
They should be mourned and lamented. Those who are victorious in war Should follow the rites of funerals.
It is the world's meeting ground, the world's female.
In her stillness she is yielding.
If a great country yields to a small country, It will conquer the small country. If a small country yields to a great country, It will be conquered by the great country. So, some who yield become conquerors, And some who yield get conquered.
A small country needs more people to serve. So, if both shall get what they need, The great country ought to yield.
It is great because it is like nothing else. If it were like everything else, It would long ago have become insignificant.
The first is compassion. The second is moderation. The third is not claiming to be first in the world.
By moderation one can be generous. By not claiming to be first in the world one can rule.
Generous without moderation, And rule without refraining from being first in the world Are certain deaths.
Will be victorious. Those who likewise defend themselves Will be safe. Heaven will rescue and protect them with compassion.
Excellent soldiers are not furious. Excellent conquerors do not engage. Excellent leaders of people lower themselves.
This is called the use of people's capacity. This is called the union with Heaven. It is the perfection of the ancients.
I dare not be like the host, But would rather be like the guest. I dare not advance an inch, But would rather retreat a foot.
Grabbing without arms, Charging without enemy, Seizing without weapons.
Than underestimating the enemy. Underestimating the enemy, I risk losing my treasure. Therefore: When equal armies battle, The grieving one will be victorious.
Surely some bitterness remains. How can this be solved?
The sage honors his part of the settlement, But does not exact his due from others. The virtuous carry out the settlement, But those without virtue pursue their claims.
It always remains with good people.
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