The Tao of the Gentle Soldier
Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War,” may seem to be an incongruous Taoist classic. The greatest of the Taoist classics is “Tao Te Ching,” by Lao Tsu. In this Lao Tsu writes, ‘Whenever you advise a ruler in the way of Tao, council him not to use force to conquer the universe… “Weapons are instruments of fear; they are not a wise man’s tools. He uses them only when he has no choice. Peace and quiet are dear to his heart. And victory is no cause for rejoicing. If you rejoice in victory, then you delight in killing.” http://www.amazon.com/Tao-Te-Ching-Lao-Tsu/dp/039471833X Nevertheless, Sun Tzu does not exalt in war. He regards it as occasionally a regrettable necessity. One should only fight when one has to, and when victory can be reasonably assured. He does not explain how one should respond to a powerful aggressor. He would probably recommend a negotiated surrender. The Mongolians devastated those who resisted them. They were merciful to those who surrendered without fighting. Sun Tzu writes...