Be chary of war

"He who with Reason assists the master of mankind will not with arms conquer the empire. His methods [are such as] invite requital. Where armies are quartered briars and thorns grow. Great wars unfailingly are followed by famines. A good man acts resolutely and then stops. He ventures not to take by force. He is resolute but not boastful ; resolute but not haughty ; resolute but not arrogant ; resolute because he cannot avoid it ; resolute but not violent. Things thrive and then grow old. This is called un-Reason. Un-Reason soon ceases."