三十章
以道佐人主者暗挑，不以兵強(qiáng)天下笋除，其事好還：師之所居，荊棘生焉炸裆。大軍之后垃它，必有兇年。善有果而已烹看，不以取強(qiáng)国拇。果而勿矜，果而勿伐惯殊，果而勿驕酱吝，果而不得已，果而勿強(qiáng)土思。物壯則老务热，是謂不道，不道早已己儒。
He who by Tao purposes to help the ruler of men
Will oppose all conquest by force of arms.
For such things are wont to rebound.
Where armies are, thorns and brambles grow.
The raising of a great host
Is followed by a year of dearth.
Therefore a good general effects his purpose and stops.
He dares not rely upon the strength of arms;
Effects his purpose and does not glory in it;
Effects his purpose and does not boast of it;
Effects his purpose and does not take pride in it;
Effects his purpose as a regrettable necessity;
Effects his purpose but does not love violence.
(For) things age after reaching their prime.
That (violence) would be against the Tao.
And he who is against the Tao perishes young.
用道來輔佐君主的人崎岂，不靠兵力強(qiáng)行天下。發(fā)動戰(zhàn)爭很快就會得到報應(yīng)闪湾。軍隊駐扎的地方冲甘，會荊棘叢生。大戰(zhàn)之后，必有荒年损合。善用兵的人達(dá)到目的即可省艳，不用兵力逞強(qiáng)。戰(zhàn)勝后不自滿嫁审，戰(zhàn)勝后不自夸。戰(zhàn)勝后不驕傲赖晶，戰(zhàn)勝了也是不得已律适，達(dá)到目的但不愛暴力。因為頂峰之后就會衰退遏插。暴力是與道相違背的捂贿。違背道的人會早衰。
