A ruler who would ally with the Way
Would not dominate the world by strength of arms
Doing so would bring his just deserts

Wherever a host is stationed
Briars and brambles spring up

In the wake of a terrible army
Famine marks the harvest

Goodness resides where effect ends
Not in cowardly clinging to strength

Affect without pity
Affect without hate
Affect without indulgence
Affect without coveting
Affect without domination

Things flourish then decline
And as for the Wayless things
They end early

以道佐人主者
不以兵強天下
其事好還

師之所處
荊棘生焉

大軍之後
必有凶年

善有果而已
不敢以取強

果而勿矜
果而勿伐
果而勿驕
果而不得已
果而勿強

物壯則老
是謂不道
不道早已