B : see #20 for many examples of how the sage is not like everyone else; this and the next three lines are translated in many different ways because 肖 (“seem”, “resemble”) sounds the same as a different symbol meaning “small” and so is sometimes interpreted that way, and because 不 肖 can also mean “unworthy” C : this sentence comes from MWD/B for consistency with the previous lines D : presumably take the lead, rule, etc.; compare to #7 and #66 about being behind to be first E : this could be referring to expanding your territory or kingdom Cross-references treasures : #62, #69 not daring to act : #3, #64 before/behind others : #7, #66 die/death : #6, #33, #42, #50, #74, #75, #76, #80 strong : #3, #29, #30, #33, #36, #52, #55, #78 Chapter Sixty Eight 善 為 士 者 不 武 • 善 戰 者 不 怒 • 善 勝 敵 者 不 與 善 用 人 者 為 之 下 是 謂 不 爭 之 德 是 謂 用 人 之 力 是 謂 配 天 古 之 極 [也(•)] He who is good at being a scholar is not militant. He who is good at war does not get angry. He who is good at conquering the enemy does not engage them. He who is good at making use of people acts lower-than them. This is called the De of not striving. This is called the power of making use of people. This is called joining the elite of heaven’s ancients, indeed! ♦He who is good at being a scholar is not militant. [martial,warlike] ♦He who is good at war does not get angry. ♦He who is good at conquering the enemy does not engage them. [victory,beat] [take part in,participate] ♦He who is good at making use of people acts lower-thanA them. This is called the De of not striving. This is called the power of making use of people.B This is called joining the elite of heaven’s ancients, indeed!C [highest,utmost] Notes A : literally “below”, “under”, or “inferior”, here “lower-than” is used to indicate taking the lower or inferior position in a relationship (which in ancient Chinese culture was the better thing to do); Lau translates it as “taking the lower position” B : This could also be translated as This is called using the power of people but based on the sentence two lines before which has no such ambiguity, it is translated this way C : the grammar of this sentence is exceptionally difficult to parse, and so can be translated in many different ways Cross-references scholar : #15, #41 lower-than : #61, #66 no striving : #3, #8, #22, #66, #73, #81 the ancients/elders : #14, #15, #22, #38, #39, #62, #65 Chapter Sixty Nine • 用 兵 有 言 吾 不 敢 為 主 而 為 客