Section 31
Chapter 31 explained simply
Tao Te Ching by Laozi
Original excerpt
Excerpt preview
1. Now arms, however beautiful, are instruments of evil omen, hateful, it may be said, to all creatures. Therefore they who have the Tao do not like to employ them. 2. The superior man ordinarily considers the left hand the most honourable place, but in time of war the right hand. Those sharp…
Read full original text in reading mode
Public-domain original
31. 1. Now arms, however beautiful, are instruments of evil omen,
hateful, it may be said, to all creatures. Therefore they who have
the Tao do not like to employ them.
2. The superior man ordinarily considers the left hand the most
honourable place, but in time of war the right hand. Those sharp
weapons are instruments of evil omen, and not the instruments of the
superior man;--he uses them only on the compulsion of necessity. Calm
and repose are what he prizes; victory (by force of arms) is to him
undesirable. To consider this desirable would be to delight in the
slaughter of men; and he who delights in the slaughter of men cannot
get his will in the kingdom.
3. On occasions of festivity to be on the left hand is the prized
position; on occasions of mourning, the right hand. The second in
command of the army has his place on the left; the general commanding
in chief has his on the right;--his place, that is, is assigned to him
as in the rites of mourning. He who has killed multitudes of men
should weep for them with the bitterest grief; and the victor in
battle has his place (rightly) according to those rites.
Public-domain original text shown for study context.
Simple English explanation
Weapons are tools of misfortune. Treat conflict with grief and restraint, not excitement. Enjoying harm corrupts the purpose of defense.
1-minute summary
Chapter 31 explains that weapons are tools of misfortune. In practice, treat conflict with grief and restraint, not excitement. It also warns that enjoying harm corrupts the purpose of defense. The useful lesson is to make the wise move early, while the situation is still small enough to guide.
Key takeaways
- Weapons are tools of misfortune.
- Treat conflict with grief and restraint, not excitement.
- Enjoying harm corrupts the purpose of defense.
- Use the idea in one concrete decision today.
Modern example
A security team treats a breach response as sober protection, not revenge.
For kids
Choose the simple, kind, and steady way when things feel confusing.