善 者 果 而 已 • 不 敢 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 • He who uses Dao to assist the master of the people Does not use weapons or strength on the world, For his troubles would likely return – In the dwelling places of armies, thorns and brambles are produced, And so what is left behind a great army must have a bad year. He who has virtue gets results and stops. He does not dare to take by using strength. He gets results, but never brags. Gets results, but never boasts. Gets results, but is not arrogant. Gets results, but only when he has no choice. Gets results, but never uses strength. When creatures are robust but old, This is called “not Dao”. That which is “not Dao” has an early finish. He who uses Dao to assist the master of the peopleA Does not use weapons or strength on the world2, ♦For his troubles would likely return – [be easy to,be liable to] In the dwelling places of armies, thorns and brambles are produced, And so what is [left] behind [à] a great army must have a bad year.B He who has virtue gets results and stops. He does not dare to take by using strength. He gets results, but never brags. [boast] Gets results, but never boasts. Gets results, but is not arrogant{proud}. Gets results, but [only when he] has no choice3. ♦Gets results, but never uses strength. ♦When creatures are robust but old, This is called “not Dao”. [That which] is “not Dao” has an early finish. Notes The last 3 lines are not in GUO; several other lines are not in GUO or the MWD’s A : presumably, an sage-like advisor to a ruler B : presumably referring to harvests Cross-references strong : #3, #29, #33, #36, #52, #55, #67, #78 boast and brag : #22, #24 have no choice : #29, #31 when creatures are robust but old : #55 “not Dao” has an early finish : #55 Chapter Thirty One (•)夫 佳 兵 者 不 祥 之 器 • 物 或 惡 之 • (•)故 有 道 者 不 處 君 子 居 則 貴 左 用 兵 則 貴 右 • 兵 者 不 祥 之 器 • 非 君 子 之 器 • 不 得 已 而 用 之 恬 淡 為 上 __ __ (勿) 美 [也(•)] 而 美 之 者 是 樂 殺 人 • (•)夫 樂 殺 人 者 __ 不 可 以 得 志 於 天 下 矣(•) • [(•)故] 吉 事 尚 左 • 凶 事 尚 右 • [是 以] 偏 將 軍 居 左 上 將 軍 居 右 言 以 喪 禮 處 之 • 殺 人 __ 眾 以 哀 悲 泣 之 戰 勝 以 喪 禮 處 之 • Now : fine weapons, they are not tools of good fortune. Creatures detest them, no matter what. Therefore : he who possesses Dao does not live by them.