Those who use the Dao to assist a ruler means that a ruler is able to use the Dao as his own assistant and support. Do not use military force to dominate the world. A ruler who uses the Dao as his own support does not rely on weapons and war; by following Heaven's will and relying on virtue, enemies submit of their own accord. Such actions tend to return in kind. Those who act this way often return the blame upon themselves and do not resent others. Where armies are stationed, thorns and brambles grow. Agriculture is neglected; fields remain untended. After a great army has passed, there must be years of misfortune. Heaven responds with harmful qi (vital energy), which harms the five grains and injures people entirely. Goodness lies in achieving results alone; a good general should be resolute and decisive alone, without seeking glory or beauty. One must not rely on force to gain strength. Not using decisiveness to seek the name of being powerful.

Be resolute but do not be arrogant; one should be decisive yet humble, and must not be conceited or overbearing. Be resolute but do not boast; one should act decisively yet yield to others and must not take credit for one's achievements. Be resolute but do not become arrogant; arrogance is a form of bullying or deception. Do not use decisiveness to bully others with arrogance. Be resolute only when it is unavoidable; one should demonstrate decisive sincerity and must not force action out of desperation or coercion. Be resolute but do not use strength; decisiveness should not be used to rely on strong armies or armor to bully others. When something becomes too vigorous, it ages; when grass and trees reach their peak of vigor, they wither and fall; when a person reaches the peak of strength, he grows old. Those who boast about strength cannot endure for long. This is called going against the Dao. Drying up and aging occurs because one sits idle without practicing the Dao. To go against the Dao is to perish early. Those who do not practice the Dao die prematurely.