1. he who would assist a lord of men in harmony with the tao will not assert his mastery in the kingdom by force of arms. such a course is sure to meet with its proper return.

2. wherever a host is stationed, briars and thorns spring up. in the sequence of great armies there are sure to be bad years.

3. a skilful (commander) strikes a decisive blow, and stops. he does not dare (by continuing his operations) to assert and complete his mastery. he will strike the blow, but will be on his guard against being vain or boastful or arrogant in consequence of it. he strikes it as a matter of necessity; he strikes it, but not from a wish for mastery.

4. when things have attained their strong maturity they become old. this may be said to be not in accordance with the tao: and what is not in accordance with it soon comes to an end.

以道佐人主者，不以兵强天下，其事好还。

师之所处，荆棘生焉；大军之后，必有凶年。

善者果而已，不敢以取强。

果而勿矜，果而勿伐，果而勿骄，果而不得已，果而勿强。

物壮则老，是谓不道，不道早已。

【译文】

用道的原则辅助国君的，不促使国家以武力逞强于天下。以武力逞强于天下很容易得到报应：武装力量所驻扎的地方，总是一片荒败；穷兵黩武之后，总是饥荒连绵。有道的人成就功果就适可而止，不敢执取功果而强梁霸道。不把功果作为凭恃，不借功果而张扬夸耀，不恃功果而骄慢待人，只把功果作为情非得已的必需，并不因此而强霸天下。要知道，事物强壮了就难免趋于老化，这是不合于道的，不合于道总是自速其亡。