Original Text
A skilled commander does not display valor; a skilled warrior is not easily provoked; a skilled victor avoids direct confrontation; a skilled leader remains humble before others. This is called the virtue of non-contention, the ability to harness others' strengths, and alignment with the natural way—the ancient principle of virtue.
Guide
Laozi discusses several principles for leaders: not to be warlike, not to be easily angered, not to engage in direct confrontation, and to place oneself below others. He requires leaders to refrain from displaying bravery, avoid being provoked, steer clear of direct conflict, fully leverage others' talents and abilities, and skillfully utilize the strength of others, the essence of which is the virtue of non-contention.Analysis
This chapter discusses the virtue of non-contention and the art of leveraging others’ abilities. Following the principles of the Tao is the most effective and perfect way of acting, which is why it is called excellence.
"He who excels as a warrior does not appear formidable; he who excels in battle is never angered; he who excels in defeating the enemy does not engage; he who excels in employing men acts humbly." Here, "not appearing formidable" means not pursuing a policy of militarism, but to reconcile the dual meanings of this phrase, we can understand it as: do not harbor illusions about permanent world peace, nor even prepare against another nation's war conspiracy against your own. The character "wu" pertains to international relations. "Never angered" refers to not being as helpless as someone newly conquered and enslaved, who would rage and fume with fury. This can be interpreted as: one who excels as a warrior does not easily resort to force, one who excels in battle is not easily provoked, one who excels in defeating the enemy does not compete for temporary gains, and one who excels in employing men is always humble. Here, Laozi does not forbid a state from using force, but opposes people only knowing how to rage and fume in the face of external enemies. We know that Laozi opposes intellect and strategy, but he even more opposes force, violence, and all manifestations of strength and power, which is evident in many places (for example, he said, "Do not use military force to dominate the world," and "Fine weapons are instruments of ill omen," etc.). However, Laozi's softness is not weakness, and his non-contention is not submission; he is full of wisdom and strategy, with unique insights and profound tactics in military science. In his view, the wars of annexation in his time employed no strategy at all, only brief clashes that quickly decided victory or defeat.
"This is called the virtue of non-contention, this is called the power of utilizing others, this is called aligning with the ancient ultimate." The virtue of non-contention refers to the morality and courage to defend peace and oppose war; the power of utilizing others refers to the strength of uniting the people. Laozi believed that in warfare, only by keeping a clear mind and a calm attitude can one formulate thorough and reasonable plans; with such plans, unnecessary losses can be avoided, ultimately leading to good results. Those skilled in warfare do not need to fight for every inch of land or compete for temporary gains and losses, but rather strive for final victory. Therefore, only by maintaining a non-contending attitude in commanding battles can one control the overall situation, manipulate battle opportunities, advance and retreat freely, and win the war. Those skilled in utilizing others should adopt a humble and lowly attitude to attract talent. Such people generally hold high positions and wield significant power; since they have the authority to employ others, why must they appear humble and lowly? In Laozi's view, humility is the best way to gain the support of the people. If a leader cannot complete all tasks independently, he must rely on
How can the power of the many be united? This requires choosing an appropriate method. If one adopts an extremely harsh attitude to establish authority and prestige, it will not only fail to unite people but will also harm oneself. If one adopts a humble attitude, it will win the trust of the many.