The Tao, Chapter 31

This episode is also available as a blog post: https://angelsansara.wordpress.com/2023/03/22/the-tao-chapter-31/ The Tao, Chapter 31 Weapons are the bearers of bad news;all people should detest them. The wise man values the left side,and in time of war he values the right.Weapons are meant for destruction,and thus are avoided by the wise.Only as a last resortwill a wise person use a deadly weapon. If peace is her true objectivehow can she rejoice in the victory of war?Those who rejoice in victorydelight in the slaughter of humanity.Those who resort to violencewill never bring peace to the world. The left side is a place of honor on happy occasions.The right side is reserved for mourning at a funeral.When the lieutenants take the left side to prepare for war,the general should be on the right side,because he knows the outcome will be death. The death of many should be greeted with great sorrow,and the victory celebration should honor those who have died. -- Translated by J. H. McDonald