Tao Te Ching · Chapter 68

Chinese text

善為士者不武，
善戰者不怒，
善勝敵者不與，
善用人者為之下，是謂不爭之德，是謂用人之力，
是謂配天古之極。

English support translation

He who in (Tao's) wars has skill

Assumes no martial port;

He who fights with most good will

To rage makes no resort.

He who vanquishes yet still

Keeps from his foes apart;

He whose hests men most fulfil

Yet humbly plies his art.

Thus we say, 'He ne'er contends,

And therein is his might.'

Thus we say, 'Men's wills he bends,

That they with him unite.'

Thus we say, 'Like Heaven's his ends,

No sage of old more bright.'