Only fools seek power, and the greatest fools seek it through force.
Use justice to rule a country. Use surprise to wage war. Use non-action to govern the world.
There is no calamity greater than lightly engaging in war.
Violence, even well intentioned, always rebounds upon oneself.
To delight in conquest is to delight in slaughter.
When great armies go to war, Sorrow is the sole winner.
The slaying of multitudes should be mourned with sorrow. A victory should be celebrated with the funeral rite.
The most powerful weapon known is the weapon of blessing. Therefore, a clever person relies on it. He wins with peace, not with war.
Arms are instruments of ill omen.... When one is compelled to use them, it is best to do so without relish. There is no glory in victory, and to glorify it despite this is to exult in the killing of men.... When great numbers of people are killed, one should weep over them with sorrow. When victorious in war, one should observe mourning rites.
When many people are killed, they should be mourned and lamented. Those who are victorious in war should follow the rites of funerals.
How could man rejoice in victory and delight in the slaughter of men?
When the Way governs the world, the proud stallions drag dung carriages. When the Way is lost to the world, war horses are bred outside the city.
