Whoever helps a ruler through the Tao must not dominate the empire by mars. Whatever we do to men, they return the same.
Everywhere troops passed by, thorns and brambles grew. Following great wars, there are necessarily years of famine.
The virtuous man stops once the victory is obtained. He does not seek domination by force of arms.
He obtains the victory and does not glorify; he obtains the victory and does not boast; he obtains the victory and does not take pride in himself.
He obtains the victory because fight is necessary. He obtains the victory and does not want to dominate.
Whatever a thing reaches to its full strength, it begins to perish.
It is not a way of the Tao. Whoever does not follow the Tao will perish quickly.