Dao De Jing #31: Armies

The Dao De Jing is not only one of the world's treasures of literature, but is one of the foundational documents of philosophical Daoism. If you follow the link, you'll be directed to an online version of the classic work.

In the meantime, here is chapter 31, Armies:

31. Armies

Armies are tools of violence;
They cause men to hate and fear.
The sage will not join them.
His purpose is creation;
Their purpose is destruction.

Weapons are tools of violence,
Not of the sage;
He uses them only when there is no choice,
And then calmly, and with tact,
For he finds no beauty in them.

Whoever finds beauty in weapons
Delights in the slaughter of men;
And who delights in slaughter
Cannot content himself with peace.

So slaughters must be mourned
And conquest celebrated with a funeral.