Wen Tzu - Verse 80, Part VI

from Verse Eighty

Military action based on justice results in leadership. Military action based on response results in victory. Military action based on anger results in defeat. Military action based on greed results in death. Military action based on pride results in extinction. This is the Way of Nature.

~ Wen-tzu: Understanding the Mysteries ~

Again, please remember that Lao Tzu almost always addresses us on two levels: collective AND individual. So, the pecking order of decreasing value applies both to nations and each of us in the conduct of our lives.

One thing that some may find interesting is that pride, not greed, is seen by Lao Tzu as the worst of all. To my way of thinking, the greedy person is first too prideful, so the one follows the other.

This post is part of a series. For an introduction, go here.