Weapons are objects of ill omen, reviled by the people. Thus, followers of the Dao abstain from employing them.
Now arms, however beautiful, are instruments of evil omen, hateful, it may be said, to all creatures. Therefore they who have the Dao do not like to employ them.
The superior man ordinarily considers the left hand the most honourable place, but in time of war the right hand. Those sharp weapons are instruments of evil omen, and not the instruments of the superior man; – he uses them only on the compulsion of necessity. Calm and repose are what he prizes; victory (by force of arms) is to him undesirable. To consider this desirable would be to delight in the slaughter of men; and he who delights in the slaughter of men cannot get his will in the kingdom.
On occasions of festivity to be on the left hand is the prized position; on occasions of mourning, the right hand. The second in command of the army has his place on the left; the general commanding in chief has his on the right; – his place, that is, is assigned to him as in the rites of mourning. He who has killed multitudes of men should weep for them with the bitterest grief; and the victor in battle has his place (rightly) according to those rites.
When a virtuous man is compelled to use them out of dire necessity, he must act with ontological serenity; even in victory, he must avoid all triumphalism. Those who take delight in slaughter cannot prevail in the world.
In conflicts where multitudes perish, participation must be imbued with cosmic mourning. After achieving military triumph, it is fitting to honor the fallen through funerary rites that reflect the primordial compassion of the Dao.
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