Stanza 31 continues Laozi's meditation on power, warfare, and ethical conduct, especially as it relates to the Taoist rejection of violence and aggression. In this passage, he turns a critical eye toward glorifying war and weapons, reminding us that even when conflict is unavoidable, it should be approached with humility, sorrow, and deep restraint.
This is not just a political or military teaching; it is a profound spiritual stance on how to relate to power, conflict, and loss. Laozi urges us to see that true victory is not celebrated with pride but mourned with compassion.
Weapons are Symbols of Misfortune
"Fine weapons are implements of ill omen: people may despise them, so those with the Way do not dwell with them."
Laozi is clear: Weapons are not to be admired, no matter how elegant. They represent violence, death, and suffering. Those who live in harmony with the Tao do not glorify tools of destruction. The sword may be sharp, but its spirit is sorrowful. The Tao does not kill; it nourishes. Even if weapons are sometimes necessary, the wise do not cherish them.
Cultural Honor and Martial Action
"Therefore, the place of honor for the cultured is on the left, while the honored place for the martialist is on the right."
This refers to ancient Chinese ceremonial tradition: The left represents auspiciousness, peace, and respect, whereas the right represents the ominous and martial intent and is reserved for conflict.
In state ritual, the civil minister stood to the left (the place of peace), whereas the military commander stood to the right (the place of danger). Laozi uses this cultural symbolism to show that war and force are not elevated; they are tolerated but never exalted. True honor lies in preserving harmony, not conquest.
Use Weapons Only When Unavoidable
"Weapons, being instruments of ill omen, are not the tools of the cultured, who use them only when unavoidable. They consider it best to be aloof; they win without beautifying it."
Those truly refined and in tune with virtue and the Tao use weapons only when all other paths have failed. Even in victory, they remain aloof, emotionally detached, and not celebratory. Why? Glorying victory in war means ignoring the human cost and forgetting the suffering that every conflict brings. Victory without grief is a spiritual failure. The Tao mourns every life lost, even in a "just" cause.
The Danger of Loving Violence
"Those who beautify it enjoy killing people. Those who enjoy killing cannot get their will of the world."
Here, Laozi draws a moral line: To beautify violence is to enjoy it. To enjoy killing, even under the banner of necessity, is to be out of step with the Tao. Such people may win battles but lose their place in the greater harmony. You may seize the world by force but cannot hold it if you do not honor life.
This is not mere philosophy but a spiritual law: if you violate life, life withdraws its trust.
The Ritual of Mourning
"The left is favored for auspicious things, the right for things of ill omen: so the subordinate general is on the left, the top general on the right."
The right is associated with war, death, and mourning. The top general, the one most responsible for the conflict, stands in the position of sorrow, not glory. This radical inversion of modern military pride is rooted in Taoism, where power is paired with grief, not pride.
Victory Without Celebration
"That means when you are in ascendancy of power, you handle it as you would mourning. When you have killed many people, you weep for them in sorrow. When you win a war, you celebrate by mourning.
This is the heart of the stanza. Power must be held as one holds death, with solemnity and humility. Victory is not a parade but a funeral. Every life lost, even of the enemy, is a wound to the whole.
This perspective is deeply Taoist: we are not separate. Even when war is necessary, it is still a tragedy. The sage may lead an army, but never without tears. The Tao does not celebrate death. Even when it must act, it acts with grief and reverence.
Practical Application
Reject the Glorification of Violence
- Don't celebrate domination or destruction in media, culture, or conversation.
- Cultivate reverence for life.
Hold Power with Humility
- Whether you're in charge of a team, a family, or a nation, use power lightly and never with pride.
Mourn What Must Be Done
- When conflict is necessary, engage with clarity and compassion, not pleasure or bravado.
- Let even "success" be tempered with sorrow and gratitude.
Don't Celebrate Victory Too Loudly
- Celebrate peace, not conquest.
- Even small "wins" should be met with grace, not gloating.
Honor Those Who Suffer, On All Sides
- In any disagreement or fight, remember that every person matters.
- Even your opponent is part of the same whole.
Stanza 31 is a sobering reminder that true spiritual maturity includes compassion in power, humility in success, and grief in the face of violence. Laozi's message is clear: Victory without reverence leads to ruin. The Tao is not won through force but followed through humility. So when the world hands you power, carry it like an urn of ashes. When conflict brings you success, bow your head and mourn.
In this way, you stay close to the Tao.