Tao Te Ching, 30

He who assists the ruler with Tao does not dominate the world with force.

The use of force usually brings requital.

Wherever armies are stationed, briers and thorns grow.

Great wars are always followed by famines.

A good (general) achieves his purpose and stops,

But dares not seek to dominate the world.

He achieves his purpose but does not brag about it.

He achieves his purpose but does not boast about it.

He achieves his purpose but is not proud of it.

He achieves his purpose but only as an unavoidable step.

He achieves his purpose but does not aim to dominate.

(For) after things reach their prime, they begin to grow old,

Which means being contrary to Tao.

Whatever is contrary to Tao will soon perish. (Tao Te Ching, 30)

Today, I would try to interpret the above text.

The text is mainly about the ideal general or ruler which is under the influence of the Tao. He is someone who believes in the virtues of the Tao, thus lives under the light of it.

In the text, it can be understood that the ideal general or ruler is someone who does not impose force. This is to say that he does not go against the way of nature for he knows that going against it will only result in chaos. He is someone who never interferes with the ways of nature. Another thing is that the general has in him the virtue of humility. It is indicated above that he does not brag and boast his achievements. He knows how to be contented for what he has achieved. Also, he does what he needs to do and he never aims for anything greater than it. He knows when to stop in achieving things and lands.

The ideal general or ruler may have known a little about the Tao as he is living its said virtues. A little because the Tao cannot be known fully, so its teachings and virtues may be also not be known fully. He knows the virtues or some of the virtues and he follows it for he believes that whatever is contrary to the Tao would soon perish.