Chapter 30

以道佐人主者，不以兵強天下。
其事好還。
師之所處，荊棘生焉。
大軍之後，必有凶年。
善者果而已，不敢以取強。
果而勿矜，果而勿伐，果而勿驕。
果而不得已，果而勿強。
物壯則老，是謂不道，不道早已。

One who aids a ruler with the Way does not use troops to force the world.
Such deeds are apt to come back.
Where an army has camped, thorns and brambles grow.
In the wake of a great army there are sure to be lean years.
One who is good at this achieves the result and stops, and does not dare to grasp at strength.
Achieve it, but do not brag; achieve it, but do not boast; achieve it, but do not be proud.
Achieve it because there is no choice; achieve it, but do not force.
Things that peak grow old. This is called contrary to the Way. What is contrary to the Way ends early.