Observations placeholder
Tzu, Lao - He who knows how to guide
Identifier
013140
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
A description of the experience
Lao Tzu - Tao Teh Ching
He who knows how to guide a ruler in the path of Tao
Does not try to override the world with force of arms
It is in the midst of nature of a military weapon to turn against its wielder
Wherever arms are stationed, thorny bushes grow
After a great war, bad years invariably follow
What you want is to protect efficiently your own state
But not to aim at self aggrandissement
After you have attained your purpose
You must not parade your success
You must not boast of your ability
You must not feel proud
You must rather regret that you had not been able to prevent war
You must never think of conquering others by force
For to be over developed is to hasten decay
And this is against Tao
And what is against Tao will soon cease to be.
A man of violence will come to a violent end
Truly, one may gain by losing
And one may lose by gaining