Chapter 69: The Way of the Guest (第69章：和怨)

用兵有言：「吾不敢為主，而為客；不敢進寸，而退尺。」
是謂行無行，攘無臂，扔無敵，執無兵。
禍莫大於輕敵，輕敵幾喪吾寶。
故抗兵相加，哀者勝矣。
☸

Translation

There is a saying in the use of force:
"I dare not be the host, but rather the guest.
I dare not advance an inch, but rather retreat a foot."

This is called marching without marching, rolling up sleeves without arms,
Defeating the enemy without an enemy, and grasping without a weapon.

There is no greater catastrophe than underestimating the enemy.
Underestimating the enemy nearly cost me my treasures.

Therefore, when two balanced forces meet in battle,
The one who feels sorrow (compassion) will win.

✦ ◆ ✦

📜 Liuren Perspective

This chapter provides the Master Strategy for spiritual defense in Liuren Fajiao. "Being the Guest" (為客) means waiting for the spiritual threat to reveal itself before acting. We do not initiate "hostilities" (Magical Host). We "retreat a foot" by remaining humble and centered, which allows the aggressive force of the threat to exhaust itself against the void.

"Marching without marching" describes the use of Fa-intent. The practitioner does not need to move physically or use physical weapons; the magic is performed through the formless Dao. Underestimating any spiritual threat (lightly treating an entity or curse) is a "Great Catastrophe" that can lead to the loss of the practitioner's Three Treasures (Ci, Jian, Humility).

Finally, "The one who feels sorrow wins" (哀者勝矣) is a deep ethical truth. In spiritual combat, we do not act with anger or hatred, but with a heavy heart (Compassion). This alignment with the nourishing aspect of the Dao ensures that we remain under the protection of the Immortal Master and achieve a stable victory.

← Chapter 68
Back to Daodejing Index
Chapter 70 →