Laozi · Complete work
Chapter 68
Chapter 68 of 81. Read it here for reference, or continue through the entire work without leaving the reader.
Open the complete readerOriginal Classical Chinese
善為士者，不武；善戰者，不怒；善勝敵者，不與；善用人者，為之下。是謂不爭之德，是謂用人之力，是謂配天古之極。
Mouseia
Mouseia’s complete machine-assisted Musean translation, made directly from the original source for fidelity, modern clarity, beauty, symbolism, and structure.
One skilled as a warrior is not martial;One skilled in battle is not enraged;One skilled in overcoming an enemy does not engage;One skilled in employing people places himself below them.This is called the virtue of not contending; this is called the strength of employing people; this is called matching Heaven, the ancient summit.
OpenTao
Complete CC BY 4.0 translation made directly from the received Chinese text; source line structure preserved.
Those skilled in war make no show of force;those skilled in battle do not give way to anger;those skilled at defeating enemies do not engage them;those skilled at leading others place themselves below them.This is called the power of not contending; this is called the strength to lead others; this is called standing level with heaven—the highest attainment of the ancients.
James Legge (1891)
Complete public-domain translation made directly from the original source text.
He who in (Tao's) wars has skillAssumes no martial port;He who fights with most good willTo rage makes no resort.He who vanquishes yet stillKeeps from his foes apart;He whose hests men most fulfilYet 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.'