He who knows how to guide a ruler in the path of Tao
Does not try to override the world with the force of arms.
It is in the nature of a military weapon to turn against its wielder.
Wherever armies are stationed, thorny bushes grow.
After a great war, bad years invariably follow.
What you want is to protect efficiently your own state.
But not to aim at self aggrandizement.
After you have attained your purpose
You must not parade your success,
You must not boast of your ability,
You must not feel proud,
You must rather regret that you had not been able to prevent war.
You must never think of conquering others by force.
For to be over-developed is to hasten decay.
And this is the Tao,
And what is against Tao will cease to be.
Lao Tzu,
Tao teh ching (XXX)
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