30th Chapter
One who advises his leader with Tao, won’t recommend conquering others with armed force.
He won’t solve problems with violence, as the problems will keep coming back.
Wherever war goes, thorns grow.
Wherever a battle has been fought, the land is devastated.
For many years it will be in bad condition.

Even when war is necessary, he will stop when the purpose is met, as he is afraid of the consequences of conquering.

He won’t restrict the people he defeated.
When he wins he won’t show off his power.
he won’t brag.
He knows the war was to stop something, but not to force his will on others .
If one overpowers others, he will decline in honor.
Overpowering others is against Tao.
Whoever is against Tao will perish.

Implications from the Holy Books

When we observe the phenomena of the universe, we realize that the axis around which life revolves is love, while the axis around which death and destruction revolve is animosity and hatred. ……in all degrees and kingdoms unity and agreement, love and fellowship are the cause of life, whereas dissension, animosity and separation are ever conducive to death. Therefore, we must strive with life and soul in order that day by day unity and agreement may be increased among mankind and that love and affinity may become more resplendently glorious and manifest.  ── ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, The Promulgation of Universal Peace 8/17/1912

They who are the beloved of God, in whatever place they gather and whomsoever they may meet, must evince, in their attitude towards God, and in the manner of their celebration of His praise and glory, such humility and submissivenes that every atom of the dust beneath their feet may attest the depth of their devotion. The conversation carried by these holy souls should be informed with such power that these same atoms of dust will be thrilled by its influence. They should conduct themselves in such manner that the earth upon which they tread may never be allowed to address to them such words as these: “I am to be preferred above you. For witness, how patient I am in bearing the burden which the husbandman layeth upon me. I am the instrument that continually imparteth unto all beings the blessings with which He Who is the Source of all grace hath entrusted me. Notwithstanding the honor conferred upon me, and the unnumbered evidences of my wealth—a wealth that supplieth the needs of all creation—behold the measure of my humility, witness with what absolute submissiveness I allow myself to be trodden beneath the feet of men.…” ── Bahá’u’lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá’u’lláh 5

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