Original Text
Those who assist a ruler with the Way do not dominate the world through military force. The use of force tends to bring consequences, for wherever armies are stationed, thorns and brambles grow; after a great war, there will surely be years of famine. A skilled commander achieves his goal and then stops, not daring to seek domination. He achieves his goal but does not boast; he achieves his goal but does not brag; he achieves his goal but does not become arrogant; he achieves his goal but only as a last resort; he achieves his goal but does not become aggressive. For what grows too strong then declines, and this is contrary to the Way; what is contrary to the Way will soon come to an end.
Guide
During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, the world was in turmoil and wars frequently erupted. Laozi believed that a ruler of the Way would not initiate wars for fame, fortune, or hegemony, nor would he seek to dominate the world through military might. War was only to be used as a last resort to overcome calamities and achieve necessary goals. Indulging in militarism would ultimately bring destruction to the state and disaster to the people. Laozi's opposition to war and force held positive significance both in his time and for later generations.Analysis
The core idea of this chapter is "do not force." The first half discusses how a person of the Way assists a ruler without using military force to conquer the world, because war, whether won or lost, brings disastrous consequences. The second half explains that the truly perfect way is like fruit growing naturally on a tree, emerging without force. One must not become arrogant or self-satisfied, but recognize that this outcome was reached only out of necessity. Once the fruit has ripened and become strong, do not try to strengthen it further, for if it becomes too strong, it will turn into its opposite and deviate from the Way. It should be noted here that although Laozi focuses on military matters in this chapter and the next, this does not mean he also masters the art of war, because his discussion of war is merely to illustrate philosophical issues, not to expound on military strategy.
"Those who assist the ruler with the Way do not dominate the world through military force." When a ruler governs the world, many people will surround and assist him. These individuals not only help the ruler manage the people but also control the military. If they exaggerate the role of military power, it will inevitably affect the ruler's governance strategy, potentially leading to militarism, fostering ambitions of global domination, and ultimately causing war, bringing disaster, suffering, and death to the people. Of course, if a country lacks its own military, it will inevitably be invaded by other nations, making it impossible to ensure peace and stability within its borders.
"Good deeds are repaid, but where armies are stationed, thorns and brambles grow. After a great war, there will surely be years of famine." These words reveal the dire consequences of resorting to force: battlefields become overgrown with thorns, and after war, great famines inevitably follow.
"Those who are good at using force achieve results but do not dare to dominate. Achieve results without arrogance, achieve results without boasting, achieve results without pride, achieve results as if compelled, achieve results without aggression." Laozi believed that the way of using military force is not to initiate war but to protect the homeland and ensure the safety of the people and the stability of the country, without seeking to dominate the world. When war becomes unavoidable, one must follow the principles of the Tao, avoiding excessive force and aggression, and only doing enough to preserve oneself. After achieving preservation, one should not become complacent or arrogant, as this aligns with the natural order. Failing to do so will inevitably provoke jealousy and resentment from others, cause one to let down their guard, and lead to moral decay and corruption, turning hard-won victories into nothing and resulting in ultimate defeat. Therefore, the way of using military force requires a reasonable measure, meaning rulers should adopt a natural approach without extreme actions, ensuring the governance of the country and the well-being of the people.
"Things become strong and then grow old, which is contrary to the Way, and what is contrary to the Way will soon come to an end." In this chapter, Laozi uses the issue of warfare to illustrate a life lesson: do not overdo anything, as going too far leads to the opposite outcome. When we achieve success or gain accomplishments, we should not become complacent, let alone arrogant, but must adhere to the principle of moderation; otherwise, things will turn in the opposite direction. The common saying "extreme joy begets sorrow" describes those who are carried away by their success, serving as a warning to us. In real life, people who are overly joyful are everywhere, and those who are excessively sorrowful are not few. Why is it so difficult for people to control their emotions? Laozi provides the answer: we have strayed from the Great Way and cannot become one with it.
Older adults tend to manage their emotions better than younger people. Generally, they have weathered far more storms in life, making them less prone to impulsiveness and emotional decisions. In contrast, young people have limited emotional experience, so setbacks often leave them deeply distressed. Most young people encounter troubles and pain to varying degrees, but their responses differ. If they simply endure the hurt instead of treating setbacks as lessons, they fail to turn them into positive growth. Overcoming adversity allows them to gradually emerge from the shadows and become stronger in life.
Failure and suffering can largely drive a person toward success. Life is colorful; we must face setbacks with an appreciative eye and an optimistic heart, never allowing negative emotions to ruin our entire life.