30: Peaceful Solutions

30

Those who advice the ruler on the Way,
Do not want the world subdued with weapons.
Such deeds bring on retaliation.
Thorn bushes grow where armies have camped.
Battles are followed by years of famine.
Therefore, good leaders reach solutions,
And then stop.
They do not dare to rely on force.
Solutions without arrogance,
Solutions without scorn,
Solutions without pride,
Solutions without benefit,
Solutions without domination.
Things exalted then decay.
This is going against the Way.
What goes against the Way meets an early end.

Peaceful Solutions

We are all aware that war is the worst. Still, there are not many years in history when the world has been free of wars. Are there any countries that have escaped them completely...

Here is my full commentary on this Tao Te Ching chapter:
Tao Te Ching Chapter 30 Translation and Commentary