Tao Teh King, Part Ii. Chapter 68

68.

68. He who in (To'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.'

p. 112

, 'Matching Heaven.' The chapter describes the work of the practiser of the To as accomplished like that of Heaven, without striving or crying. He appears under the figure of a mailed warrior (
) of the ancient chariot. The chapter is a sequel of the preceding, and is joined on to it by W Khng, as is also the next.