One who is compassionate toward children dares not cut off their food and clothing; one who is compassionate toward himself dares not depart from laws and measures; one who values squareness and roundness dares not abandon compasses and rulers.
Thus in warfare, compassion toward officers and soldiers secures victory; compassion toward weapons and equipment fortifies city defenses. Hence the saying: “With compassion in battle one conquers; with compassion in defense one holds firm.”
He who preserves himself and fully follows the principles of all things surely possesses innate nature bestowed by heaven. This innate nature generates the compassionate heart. All ways of the world are contained within this life‑giving nature, guarded by compassion.
When all undertakings are perfectly secure and every action appropriate, this is called a treasure. Hence the saying: “I have three treasures; I hold and cherish them.”
Note
This passage delivers a military‑political principle: compassion as prudent preservation of people and resources enables victory in war and stability in defense, forming the primary treasure of statecraft.
Late Warring‑States Legalist philosopher. This passage is excerpted from Explaining Laozi (Jie Lao), his commentary on the Dao De Jing. He transforms Daoist compassion into a practical military‑political virtue rather than pure benevolence.
Compassion as Prudent Care
Compassion (ci) is redefined not as soft kindness, but as cautious preservation: for children, oneself, tools, soldiers and cities.
Military Application of Compassion
A key Legalist‑Daoist fusion: compassion toward troops and equipment ensures military success in attack and defense.
Three Treasures of Laozi
Laozi’s three treasures are compassion, frugality, and humility; Han Fei here elaborates on the first treasure, compassion.
慈於子者不敢絕衣食，慈於身者不敢離法度，慈於方圓者不敢舍規矩。故臨兵而慈於士吏則戰勝敵，慈於器械則城堅固。故曰：「慈於戰則勝，以守則固。」夫能自全也而盡隨於萬物之理者，必且有天生。天生也者，生心也。故天下之道盡之生也，若以慈衛之也。事必萬全，而舉無不當，則謂之寶矣。故曰：「吾有三寶，持而寶之。」
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