Lao Tzu

One who assists a leader with the subtle truth

of the universe advises him

not to use the force of arms

to try to conquer the world,

for such things will always rebound.

It is generally the nature of weapons

to turn against their wielders.

Whenever armies touch the land,

they turn it into a wasteland.

Moreover, plague and death invariably follow

in the wake of a Great War.

Therefore, a leader should be allowed to

to effect only a right purpose

and not rely on the force of arms

once his goal has been achieved.

He effects his right purpose,

but does not take pride in it.

He effects his right purpose

as a regrettable necessity.

He effects his right purpose,

but does not delight in violence,

for he knows that to be excessively strong

is to hasten decay and that violence

is against the integral nature of the universe.

Whoever goes against the nature of the universe

wil soon perish.