Chapter 68 of Laozi's Tao Te Ching explains the principle of 'non-contention (不爭),' which was emphasized in Chapter 66, by applying it to specific situations, particularly those involving fighting, confronting enemies, governing people, and employing others. It presents the Tao's paradoxical philosophy of victory: a truly 'skillful person (善者)' does not use artificial force or aggression to confront or suppress others. Instead, by adopting a humble and natural attitude of lowering oneself and considering others, they ultimately achieve victory and earn the respect of all.
📜 Original Text (原文)
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
📃 Meaning of the Original Text
A truly skillful warrior is not martial.
A skillful fighter is not angry.
A skillful conqueror of enemies does not contend.
A skillful employer of people places himself below them.
This is called the virtue of non-contention.
This is called using the strength of people.
This is called matching Heaven, the pinnacle of ancient wisdom.
🌲 Line-by-Line Translation
善為士者不武 (shàn wéi shì zhě bù wǔ)
A truly skillful warrior is not martial.
善戰者不怒 (shàn zhàn zhě bù nù)
A skillful fighter is not angry.
善勝敵者不與 (shàn shèng dí zhě bù yǔ)
A skillful conqueror of enemies does not contend.
善用人者為之下 (shàn yòng rén zhě wéi zhī xià)
A skillful employer of people places himself below them.
是謂不爭之德 (shì wèi bù zhēng zhī dé)
This is called the virtue of non-contention.
是謂用人之力 (shì wèi yòng rén zhī lì)
This is called using the strength of people.
是謂配天古之極 (shì wèi pèi tiān gǔ zhī jí)
This is called matching Heaven, the pinnacle of ancient wisdom.
💧 Verse-by-Verse Commentary and Interpretation (逐句解說與解釋)
1. 善為士者不武 (shàn wéi shì zhě bù wǔ)
o Literal Meaning: A skillful warrior is not martial.
o Commentary: '善為士者' (shàn wéi shì zhě) means 'one who is skillful (善) at being a warrior (為士).' '士' (shì) can mean warrior, soldier, or scholar/official. In this context of force and battle, 'warrior' or 'soldier' is the natural interpretation. '不武' (bù wǔ) means 'is not (不) martial (武).' '武' (wǔ) refers to martial force, valor, and physical power.
o Interpretation: A truly excellent warrior or soldier does not rashly display or use artificial force or ostentatious valor. It means they deal with situations naturally according to the principles of the Tao, rather than relying on brute force. This connects to the warnings against the use of weapons in Chapters 30 and 31.
2. 善戰者不怒 (shàn zhàn zhě bù nù)
o Literal Meaning: A skillful fighter is not angry.
o Commentary: '善戰者' (shàn zhàn zhě) means 'one who is skillful (善) at fighting (戰).' '不怒' (bù nù) means 'is not angry (怒).' Emotional turmoil or anger can cloud judgment and lead to mistakes.
o Interpretation: A person who is truly skilled in conflict is not swept away by emotional turmoil or anger. By maintaining a calm and composed demeanor, they can accurately assess the situation and respond in the most effective way. This connects to the importance of 'stillness (靜)' in Taoism.
3. 善勝敵者不與 (shàn shèng dí zhě bù yǔ)
o Literal Meaning: A skillful conqueror of enemies does not contend.
o Commentary: '善勝敵者' (shàn shèng dí zhě) means 'one who is skillful (善) at conquering enemies (勝敵).' '不與' (bù yǔ) means 'does not engage with (不與).' Here, '與' (yǔ) means 'to confront,' 'to oppose,' 'to compete with,' or 'to clash with directly.'
o Interpretation: One who is truly adept at defeating an enemy does not seek to confront or oppose them directly. By avoiding direct conflict and overpowering with force, they achieve victory in an indirect and natural way, such as by inducing the opponent to retreat or neutralize themselves. This is the practical application of 'non-contention (不爭).'
4. 善用人者為之下 (shàn yòng rén zhě wéi zhī xià)
o Literal Meaning: A skillful employer of people places himself below them.
o Commentary: '善用人者' (shàn yòng rén zhě) means 'one who is skillful (善) at employing/using people (用人).' This refers to a leader or manager who effectively guides and utilizes the abilities of their people. '為之下' (wéi zhī xià) means 'places himself below (為下) them (之).' It signifies an attitude of humility and respect for the people, placing oneself beneath them.
o Interpretation: A true leader who can effectively draw out and utilize the strengths of others does not rule with artificial authority or command. Instead, they adopt an attitude of humility and respect, placing themselves below the people. By being beneath them, they inspire people to follow willingly and to use their abilities to the fullest.
5. 是謂不爭之德 (shì wèi bù zhēng zhī dé)
o Literal Meaning: This is called the virtue of non-contention.
o Commentary: '是謂' (shì wèi) refers to the four attitudes listed above ('不武', '不怒', '不與', '為之下'). '不爭之德' (bù zhēng zhī dé) means 'the virtue (德) of non-contention (不爭).' This shows that 'non-contention,' emphasized in other chapters, is not mere passivity but a powerful 'virtue' derived from the Tao.
o Interpretation: All these attitudes—forsaking martial force and anger, avoiding direct confrontation, and lowering oneself—are expressions of the powerful 'virtue of non-contention' inherent in the Tao. It emphasizes a virtue of the Tao that transcends artificial competition.
6. 是謂用人之力 (shì wèi yòng rén zhī lì)
o Literal Meaning: This is called using the strength of people.
o Commentary: '是謂' (shì wèi) refers to the preceding attitudes, especially '為之下' (placing oneself below). '用人之力' (yòng rén zhī lì) means 'to use/employ (用) the strength/ability (力) of people (人).'
o Interpretation: By lowering oneself and not contending, one can naturally draw out and utilize the abilities of others. This is described as the most effective way to harness the true strength and potential of people, without resorting to artificial commands or coercion.
7. 是謂配天古之極 (shì wèi pèi tiān gǔ zhī jí)
o Literal Meaning: This is called matching Heaven, the pinnacle of ancient wisdom.
o Commentary: '是謂' (shì wèi) refers to all the preceding concepts ('the virtue of non-contention,' 'using the strength of people'). '配天' (pèi tiān) means 'to match/be in accord with (配) Heaven (天).' Since the principle of the Tao is the principle of Heaven, a life that follows the Tao is perfectly aligned with the natural order. '古之極' (gǔ zhī jí) means 'the pinnacle/ultimate state (極) of ancient times (古之).'
o Interpretation: The chapter concludes by declaring that this 'virtue of non-contention'—which forsakes artificial struggle and harmonizes with all things to draw out the strength of people—is in complete alignment with the natural principles of the universe (Heaven). It is the highest state of ideal living and governance sought by the ancient sages.
🌳 Overall Interpretation
Chapter sixty-eight speaks of the paradox that true strength and victory come not from contention, but rather from non-contention.
A truly 'skillful warrior' does not rashly use 'martial force or ostentatious valor.' A 'skillful person' in a fight is not 'swept away by emotional anger.' A person who 'skillfully defeats an enemy' does not 'seek to confront the enemy head-on.' A 'leader who skillfully draws out the abilities' of others does not rule with artificial authority but 'lowers himself.'
All of these attitudes—not using force, not getting angry, not confronting, and lowering oneself—are all manifestations of the **'powerful virtue of non-contention (不爭)'** that belongs to the Tao.
This is the most effective way to 'draw out the true strength and potential of people' without artificial commands or coercion.
And a life that practices this 'virtue of non-contention' is **'perfectly aligned with the natural principles of the universe (Heaven)'** and is the **'highest state' of ideal living and governance pursued by the ancient sages**.
🌟 The Meaning and Importance of Chapter 68
Chapter 68 presents the following core ideas:
- The Various Aspects of Non-Contention (不爭): Through specific behaviors like 'not being martial (不武),' 'not being angry (不怒),' 'not engaging (不與),' and 'placing oneself below (為之下),' it shows that 'non-contention' is not a passive attitude but an active and strategic practical virtue.
- The Paradoxical Victory of Non-Contention: It presents a paradoxical way of winning that, without physical strength, emotional turmoil, or direct confrontation, ultimately defeats the enemy, draws out the strength of people, and eliminates the need to contend with anyone.
- The Essence of Leadership: It emphasizes that true leadership, which effectively utilizes the strength of others, lies in lowering oneself (為之下) rather than lording over them.
- The Meaning of 'The Virtue of Non-Contention (不爭之德)': It explicitly states that 'non-contention' is a powerful inner strength derived from the Tao, a 'virtue,' making it a core tenet of Taoist thought.
- The Ideal State of the Tao: It suggests that a life practicing the virtue of non-contention is the path to conforming with the principles of nature (Heaven) and reaching the ideal state of the ancient sages.
Chapter 68 is one of the chapters that best illustrates the profundity and power of the core Taoist idea of 'non-contention (不爭).' It contains the profound wisdom that by moving beyond the logic of artificial competition and force, following the course of nature, and lowering oneself, one can paradoxically achieve true strength, victory, and harmony with all beings.
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