偃武
原文
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。善有果而已，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。
王弼注
以道佐人主者，不以兵强天下。以道佐人主，尚不可以兵强于天下，况人主躬于道者乎。其事好还。为始者务欲立功生事，而有道者务欲还反无为，故云，其事好还也。师之所处，荆棘生焉。大军之后，必有凶年。言师凶害之物也。无有所济，必有所伤，贼害人民，残荒田亩，故曰荆棘生焉。善者果而已，不以取强。果，犹济也。言善用师者，趣以济难而已矣，不以兵力取强于天下也。果而勿矜，果而勿伐，果而勿骄。吾不以师道为尚，不得已而用，何矜骄之有也。果而不得已，果而勿强。言用兵虽趣功，果济难，然时故不得已当复用者，但当以除暴乱，不遂用果以为强也。物壮则老，是谓不道，不道早已。壮，武力暴兴，喻以兵强于天下者也。飘风不终朝，骤雨不终日，故暴兴必不道早已也。
英文 · James Legge
(A caveat against war) He who would assist a lord of men in harmony with the Dao will not assert his mastery in the kingdom by force of arms. Such a course is sure to meet with its proper return. Wherever a host is stationed, briars and thorns spring up. In the sequence of great armies there are sure to be bad years. 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. When things have attained their strong maturity they become old. This may be said to be not in accordance with the Dao: and what is not in accordance with it soon comes to an end.