Tao Te Ching

Verse 31

Weapons are the tools of violence;
all decent men detest them.

Weapons are the tools of fear;
a decent man will avoid them
except in the direst necessity
and, if compelled, will use them
only with the utmost restraint.
Peace is his highest value.
If the peace has been shattered,
how can he be content?
His enemies are not demons,
but human beings like himself.
He doesn't wish them personal harm.
Nor does he rejoice in victory.
How could he rejoice in victory
and delight in the slaughter of men?

He enters a battle gravely
with sorrow and with great compassion
as if he were attending a funeral.

This verse relates to others in the Tao Te Ching in which violence, war and aggression are all considered things not to be done. If they do have to be done, then they should be done with restraint and with a full understanding that the people being killed as a result of the fighting are just plain normal people who were living lives basically the save as those of the victor.

The great Way is easy
yet people prefer the side paths.
Be aware when things are out of balance.
Stay centered with the Tao.

When rich speculators prosper
while farmers lost their land;
when government officials spend money
on weapons instead of cures;
when the upper class is extravagant and irresponsible
while the poor have nowhere to turn-
all this is robbery and chaos.
It is not in keeping with the Tao.

Keep in mind that this verse was probably written over 2500 years ago, yet we still have today the exact same types of problems that are being cited here. Exactly the same. That can be a pretty sobering thought.

Related to this is the following verse.

When taxes are too high
people go hungry
When the government is too intrusive
people lose their spirit.

Act for the people's benefits
Trust them; leave them alone.

Again, this sounds awfully familiar in today's world.

The book also contains over 25 pages of notes on the various verses.

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