Chapter 68
The Virtue of Non-Contention
善为士者不武；
善战者不怒；
善胜敌者不与；
善用人者为之下。
是谓不争之德，是谓用人之力，是谓配天，古之极。
James Legge · 1891 · Public domain
He who in (Tao's) wars has skill
Assumes no martial port;
He who fights with most good will
To rage makes no resort.
He who vanquishes yet still
Keeps from his foes apart;
He whose hests men most fulfil
Yet humbly plies his art.
Thus we say, 'He ne'er contends,
And therein is his might.'
Thus we say, 'Men's wills he bends,
That they with him unite.'
Thus we say, 'Like Heaven's his ends,
No sage of old more bright.'