Tao Te Ching 31: The highest value

- 31 -

Weapons are the tools of violence;

all decent men avoid them.

Followers of the Tao never use them.

~

Peace is the wise man’s highest value.

If peace is his true objective

how can he rejoice in the victory of war?

A man who rejoices in the killing of others

shall never prevail in the world.

~

With the slaughter of multitudes,

we have grief and sorrow.

Every victory is a funeral;

when you win a war,

you celebrate by mourning.

~

Commentary

This uncompromising verse has a simple (and timely) message: peace...