All excellent weapons are instruments of misfortune. Everyone hates them. So a follower of the Tao does not cling to it.
In peacetime, a wise puts forward the left side (life side); in time of war he puts forward the right side (death side) .
Weapons are instruments of misfortune; they are not instruments of wise people. He only uses it when he cannot go without it, while keeping a distant mind. If he triumphs, he does not enjoy in it. To enjoy in it is to enjoy killing men. The one who enjoys killing men cannot succeed in reigning over the empire.
In happy events, left side is more important; in unfortunate events, right side is more important.
General in second occupies the left; general-in-chief occupies the right. I mean they are placed according to funeral rites. War makes a lot of dead. Murders must mourn the dead. Victory must be celebrated according to funeral rites.