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"Military weapons are implements (ch'i) of ill omen, Avoided (o) even by natural creatures (wu). Hence the Taoist does not indulge (ch'u) in them. The princely person (chün-tzu) in dwelling honors the left, In military campaigns honors the right. Hence military weapons are not implements of a princely person. Military weapons, being implements of ill omen, Are to be employed only in dire necessity. Better to regard them with lack of interest. Do not admire (mei) them. If one admires (mei) them, One would be rejoicing in the killing of people. But whoever rejoices in the killing of people, Will not be successful (chih) in the world. Therefore in joyful affairs the left is honored, In mournful affairs the right is honored. The Second-in-Command takes the place of the left, The Commander-in-Chief takes the place of the right, Meaning that this is his place in the funeral rite. When many people have been killed, Wail them with sorrow and lamentations. When victorious in battle, Mark the occasion with the rite (li) of funeral."

Author

Lao Tzu

All Translations

English

"Military weapons are implements (ch'i) of ill omen, Avoided (o) even by natural creatures (wu). Hence the Taoist does not indulge (ch'u) in them. The princely person (chün-tzu) in dwelling honors the left, In military campaigns honors the right. Hence military weapons are not implements of a princely person. Military weapons, being implements of ill omen, Are to be employed only in dire necessity. Better to regard them with lack of interest. Do not admire (mei) them. If one admires (mei) them, One would be rejoicing in the killing of people. But whoever rejoices in the killing of people, Will not be successful (chih) in the world. Therefore in joyful affairs the left is honored, In mournful affairs the right is honored. The Second-in-Command takes the place of the left, The Commander-in-Chief takes the place of the right, Meaning that this is his place in the funeral rite. When many people have been killed, Wail them with sorrow and lamentations. When victorious in battle, Mark the occasion with the rite (li) of funeral."

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