原文
公有领域善為士者不武，
善戰者不怒，
善勝敵者不與，
善用人者為之下，是謂不爭之德，是謂用人之力，
是謂配天古之極。
王弼注
待校读士，卒之帥也。武，尚先陵人也。
後而不先，應而不唱，故不在怒。
不與爭也。
用人而不為之下，則力不為用也。
河上公章句
待校读言貴道德，不好武力也。
善以道戰者，禁邪於胸心，絕禍於未萌，無所誅怒也。
善以道勝敵者，附近以仁，來遠以德，不與敵爭，而敵自服也。
善用人自輔佐者，常為人執謙下也。
謂上為之下也。是乃不與人爭之道德也。
能身為人下，是謂用人臣之力也。
能行此者，德配天也。是乃古之極要道也。
Legge 1891
Public domainHe who in (Tao's) wars has skill Assumes no martial port; He who fights with most good will To rage makes no resort. He who vanquishes yet still Keeps from his foes apart; He whose hests men most fulfil Yet humbly plies his art. Thus we say, 'He ne'er contends, And therein is his might.' Thus we say, 'Men's wills he bends, That they with him unite.' Thus we say, 'Like Heaven's his ends, No sage of old more bright.'