“ Weapons are ill-omened things, which the superior man should not depend on. ”
Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching. copy citation
| Author | Lao Tzu |
|---|---|
| Source | Tao Te Ching |
| Topic | weapons |
| Date | |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | Translated by Arthur Waley |
| Weblink | https://terebess.hu/english/tao/waley.html |
Context
“Those in possession of the Tao do not depend on them.)
That is why, among people of good birth,
In peace the left-hand side is the place of honour,
But in war this is reversed and the right-hand side is the place of honour.
(Weapons are ill-omened things, which the superior man should not depend on.
When he has no choice but to use them,
The best attitude is to retain tranquil and peaceful.)
The Quietist, even when he conquers, does not regard weapons as lovely things.
For to think them lovely means to delight in them,”
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