Chapter 30 - Let the Fruit Grow

Those who rely on the Dao have learned,
Brute force is a form too easily returned.

Where the armies and soldiers settle,
Seeds are sown for thorns and nettle.
Where the war and violence begin,
Hardships follow even when peace moves back in.

Practice to simply let the fruit bear,
No accelerated growth or forced repair.

To grow, without reservation,
To grow, without imposition,
To grow, without condescension,
To grow, because avoidance is not an option,
To grow, without any intrusion.

That strong force will eventually let wane,
Unaligned with Dao, thus death will reign.

以道佐人主者，不以兵强天下，其事好还。师之所处，荆棘生焉。大军之后，必有凶年。善有果而已，不敢以取强。果而勿矜，果而勿伐，果而勿骄，果而不得已，果而勿强。物壮则老，是谓不道，不道早已。