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Single Idea 23401

[filed under theme 25. Social Practice / E. Policies / 1. War / e. Peace ]

Full Idea

A military victory is not a thing of beauty.

Gist of Idea

A military victory is not a thing of beauty

Source

Laozi (Lao Tzu) (Daodejing (Tao Te Ching) [c.530 BCE], 31), quoted by Bryan van Norden - Intro to Classical Chinese Philosophy 8.II.1

Book Ref

Norden,Bryan van: 'Intro to Classical Chinese Philosophy' [Hackett 2011], p.125


A Reaction

Should be written on the wall of every military academy and barracks.


The 15 ideas from Laozi (Lao Tzu)

A military victory is not a thing of beauty [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
The highest virtue is achieved without effort [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
Wise people choose inaction and silence [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
The best rulers are invisible, the next admired, the next feared, and the worst are exploited [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
Vulgar people are alert; I alone am muddled [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
One who knows does not speak; one who speaks does not know [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
The better known the law, the more criminals there are [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
Do good to him who has done you an injury [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
To know yet to think that one does not know is best [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
People are hard to govern because authorities love to do things [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
One with no use for life is wiser than one who values it [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
Truth is not beautiful; beautiful speech is not truthful [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
To gain in goodness, treat as good those who are good, and those who are not [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
There is no crime greater than having too many desires [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]
Pursuit of learning increases activity; the Way decreases it [Laozi (Lao Tzu)]