To consider this desirable would be to delight in the slaughter of men; and he who delights in the slaughter of men cannot get his will in the kingdom.
Interpretation
The quote warns against the dangers of valuing power through violence and the moral consequences that arise from such desires.
Laozi's quote emphasizes the philosophical belief that a person who finds joy in causing harm to others, specifically in the pursuit of power or control, is ultimately unfit for meaningful leadership. It suggests that true authority and respect cannot be won through brutality, as delighting in violence reflects a deeper moral failing and disconnect from the essence of governance and society.
In practice
In a debate about ethics in leadership, one might quote Laozi to highlight the importance of moral integrity.
If you understand others you are smart._x000D_ If you understand yourself you are illuminated._x000D_ If you overcome others you are powerful._x000D_ If you overcome yourself you have strength._x000D_ If you know how to be satisfied you are rich._x000D_ If you can act with vigor, you have a will._x000D_ If you don't lose your objectives you can be long-lasting._x000D_ If you die without loss, you are eternal.
When nothing is done, nothing is left undone.
A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.
Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment.
In the world there is nothing more submissive and weak than water. Yet for attacking that which is hard and strong nothing can surpass it.
Rule your mind with serenity rather than with force and manipulation.
If you say in the first chapter that there is a rifle hanging on the wall, in the second or third chapter it absolutely must go off. If it's not going to be fired, it shouldn't be hanging there.
Full many a gem of purest ray serene The dark unfathom'd caves of ocean bear: Full many a flower is born to blush unseen, And waste its sweetness on the desert air.
Let mental culture go on advancing, let the natural sciences progress in even greater extent and depth, and the human mind widen itself as much as it desires: beyond the elevation and moral culture of Christianity, as it shines forth in the Gospels, it will not go.
If God existed, and if He cared for humankind, He would never have given us religion.
Being human is itself difficult, and therefore all kinds of settlements (except dream cities) have problems. Big cities have difficulties in abundance, because they have people in abundance.
God's hand never slips. He never makes a mistake. His every move is for our own good and for our ultimate good.
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