Laozi’s critique of war in the Daodejing

3 min readSep 16, 2024

Laozi was appalled by the destruction and suffering caused by the countless wars that took place between the various feudal states battling for dominance of China towards the end of the Spring and Autumn period. In Chapter 30 of the Daodejing, he famously laments the long-term devastation caused by armed conflict:

Wherever armies have camped,
Brambles and thorns grow wild.
After a great war,
Years of famine follow.

Daodejing Chapter 30

Rather than attempting to persuade members of the ruling class to give up war for moral and ethical reasons, Laozi takes a much more pragmatic approach by pointing out that rushing into a war will hurt them just as badly as their opponents because it will inevitably lead to their untimely demise.

Brute force ages quickly.
It goes against the Dao.
Going against the Dao
Leads to an early end.

Daodejing Chapter 30

Although Laozi recognizes that war may be necessary in extreme circumstances, that does not stop him from condemning it in very strong terms.

Weapons are instruments of doom,
Not the instruments of a gentleman.
The gentleman does not use weapons,
Except as a last resort.

Daodejing Chapter 31

In the same passage, he goes on to sternly rebuke men who celebrate their victories in battle, arguing that taking pleasure in defeating and killing others is totally unacceptable. Men who delight in the thrill of warfare and seek to impose their will through violence are unfit have authority over others.

Weapons are instruments of doom,
Not the instruments of a gentleman.
The gentleman does not use weapons,
Except as a last resort.
In victory there is no glory.
Celebrating victory
Is to enjoy killing others.
Anyone who enjoys killing others
Must never be allowed
To impose his will
Over all-under-heaven.

Daodejing Chapter 31

When there is no alternative but to fight, Laozi urges the victors to treat their triumphs with the same solemnity as a funeral ceremony to show their profound grief for all the people who have lost their lives, including their opponents, and their deep sorrow for having to take up arms in the first place.

This is how funeral rites are conducted.
When masses of people are slaughtered,
We should mourn them
With heartfelt grief.
When a war is won,
We should observe the victory
With funeral rites.

Daodejing Chapter 31

Laozi argues that the most effective military leaders accomplish their goals through strategic and thoughtful actions rather than aggressive force. By approaching conflict with a solemn sense of duty and eschewing personal glory, these leaders embody the Daoist principle of detachments and avoid the seductive yet destructive allure of war.

The best general
Focuses on achieving results,
Not winning by force.
He achieves results
Without bragging,
Without boasting,
Without pride.
He achieves results
With reluctance,
Without force.

Daodejing Chapter 30

Laozi’s critique of war in the Daodejing

Written by Richard Brown