The Tools of Those Who Oppose Wise Rule

 

 

 

 Lao Tzu:

 

One who would guide a leader in the uses of life will warn against the use of arms for conquest.  Weapons often turn upon  the wielder.

 

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Where armies settle, nature offers nothing but briars and thorns.

After a great battle has been fought, the land is cursed; the crops fail, the earth lies stripped of its motherhood. 

 

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After you have attained your purpose, you must not parade your success; you  must not boast of your ability, you must not  feel proud. 

You must rather regret that you had not been able to prevent the war.

 

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You must never think of conquering others by force. Whatever strains with force will soon decay -- it's not attuned to the Way!

Not being attund to the Way, its end comes all too soon.

 

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Weapons are the tools of violence.  All decent people detest them; therefore, followers of the Tao never use them.

Arms serve evil -- they are the tools of those who oppose wise rule. Use them only as a last resort -- for peace and quiet are dearest to the decent heart, and even a victory is no cause for rejoicing. One who thinks triumph beautiful is one with a will to kill; and one with a will to kill shall never prevail upon the world.

 

It is a good sign when our higher nature comes forward; a bad sign when our lower nature comes forward.  

With the slaughter of multitudes, we have grief and sorrow. Every victory is a funeral; when you win a war, you celebrate by ... mourning.

 

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The eternal Tao has no name. Although simple and subtle, no one in the world can master it.

If kings and lords could harness them, the 10, ooo things would naturally obey. Heaven and earth would rejoice with the dripping of sweet dew! Everyone would live in harmony! not by official decree...  but by their own goodness.

 

 

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