The Taoteching #30
Use the Tao to help your king
don’t use weapons to rule the land
such things soon return
where armies camp
brambles grow
best to win then stop
don’t make use of force
win but don’t be proud
wind but don’t be vain
win but don’t be cruel
win when you have no choice
this is to win without force
virility means old age
this isn’t the Tao
what isn’t the Tao ends early.
Lao-tzu
from the Taoteching