A ruler who possesses the Dao incurs no hatred from neighboring states abroad and bestows kindness upon his people at home.
He incurs no external enmity because he observes ritual and righteousness toward feudal lords. He benefits his people because he governs them by prioritizing agriculture, the fundamental root.
Observing ritual toward neighboring lords keeps warfare rare; prioritizing agriculture curbs indulgence and extravagance.
Horses are mainly used for military warfare abroad and luxurious consumption at home. Now the Dao‑possessing ruler rarely uses troops externally and forbids extravagance internally.
The ruler does not employ horses in battle and pursuit, nor do commoners use horses for long‑distance trade of luxury goods. All labor is devoted to farmland; concentrated farming requires fertilizing and irrigation. Hence the saying: “When the world follows the Dao, war horses are retired to fertilize the fields.”
Note
This passage presents a pragmatic governance model: wise rulers pursue peace via ritual diplomacy, prioritize agriculture over warfare and luxury, turning military resources back into productive civilian use.
Late Warring‑States Legalist philosopher. This passage is from Explaining Laozi (Jie Lao), his commentary on the Dao De Jing. He turns Daoist anti‑war ideals into Legalist practical policies of agriculture‑first governance and military restraint.
Retire War‑Horses to Fertilize Fields
A classic Daoist anti‑war maxim. Han Fei interprets it through statecraft: peace, ritual diplomacy, agrarian production and anti‑extravagance.
Agriculture as Fundamental Root
Core Legalist policy: agriculture is the economic foundation of a state. Reducing warfare and luxury strengthens farming development.
Ritual Diplomacy for Peace
Good relations with neighboring states through ritual and righteousness cut military spending and horse consumption for war.
有道之君，外無怨讎於鄰敵，而內有德澤於人民。夫外無怨讎於鄰敵者，其遇諸侯也外有禮義。內有德澤於人民者，其治人事也務本。遇諸侯有禮義則役希起，治民事務本則淫奢止。凡馬之所以大用者，外供甲兵，而內給淫奢也。今有道之君，外希用甲兵，而內禁淫奢。上不事馬於戰鬥逐北，而民不以馬遠淫通物，所積力唯田疇，積力於田疇必且糞灌，故曰：「天下有道，卻走馬以糞也。」
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