Tao Te Ching Chapter 31 The Art of War 用兵之道

This Chapter from the Tao Te Ching discuss the Taoist perspective on warfare. It emphasizes that weapons are inauspicious and should only be used as a last resort. The text contrasts auspicious and inauspicious events, associating the left with auspiciousness and the right with inauspiciousness in military contexts. A virtuous leader, therefore, should approach warfare with reluctance and grieve over the loss of life, even in victory. The passages highlight the importance of a peaceful mindset even amidst conflict, suggesting that celebrating violence is antithetical to governing effectively. Ultimately, the text advocates for minimizing harm and avoiding unnecessary conflict.