道德经之第三十章，述于兵法与智慧的交汇。古者以道辅佐君主，不恃强兵而霸天下，其事必有善报①。军师所至，荆棘生焉，大战之后，定将来临凶年②。善用兵者，只要功成就已，不敢过分好胜③，以取强国④。既得果实，不自矜持⑤，既得成功，不去夸耀⑥，既得胜利，不骄傲自满⑦；只有不得已时，用兵不逞强斗⑧。物体壮大终将衰老，这乃是不合乎“道”的，是早已注定死亡的命运。
[注释]
1.其事好还：用兵这件事一定能得到还报。
2.凶年：荒年、灾年。
3.善有果：果，成功之意。指达到获胜的目的。
4.不敢：帛书本为“毋以取强”。
5.取强：逞强、好胜。
6.物壮：强壮、强硬。
7.不道：不合乎于“道”。
8.早已：早死、很快完结。
[延伸阅读1]
王弼《道德经注》
以道佐人主者，不以兵強天下，以道佐人主尚不可以兵強於天下，而况人主躬於道者乎？其事好還也。此為始者務欲立功生事，而有道者務欲還反無為故云其事好還也。
师之所处荆棘生焉。大军之后必有凶年。这言师凶害之物也，无有所济必有所伤贼害人民残荒田亩故约荆棘生也。
善有果而己，不敢以取強。这言善用师者趣以济难而已矣。不 以 兵力 取 强 於 天 下 矣。
果而勿矜，果而勿伐，果而勿骄吾 不 以 师 道 为 尚 不 得 已 而 用 何 矜 骄 之 有 也？
fruit of one's labor, not to boast or show off; if there is no other way but to use force, then do so without being overbearing.
Material things grow strong and then decay, this is called "not in harmony with the Tao," early death follows.
[延伸阅读2]
Su Shi《Laozi Interpretation》
With the Tao as their guide, rulers should not rely on military might to dominate the world; such actions are often forced upon them by circumstances rather than a desire for conquest itself.
The consequences of war are always severe: destruction of crops, loss of life, and suffering for future generations.
Therefore those who seek peace and avoid conflict must be cautious in their use of force.
In using force they should aim only at what is necessary and avoid boasting about it or seeking victory solely for its own sake.
If you must use force do not let pride or arrogance lead you astray.
It is only when all else fails that resorting to force becomes necessary.
Things that are strong will eventually weaken and perish - this is known as "not following the Tao" - an early end awaits them all.
Note: The above text has been translated from Chinese into English while maintaining the original structure and meaning as closely as possible