Joey Smith comments

Clearly the words of Lao Tzu will strike at the heart of the Chinese motherland and it is my wish that these sayings make it over there before it is too late. Simplicity is key and the greatest writer of wisdom and peace was Lao Tzu--especially from China without doubt. Confucious could also be included in this small elite group of enlightened souls.

Lao Tzu A certain military commander used to say: "I dare not act the host; I prefer to play the guest. * I dare not advance an inch; I prefer to retreat a foot."

*Footnote: According to Chinese etiquette, it is for the master of the house to make advances, and his guest follows suit. Thus "host" here means the one who takes the initiative and begins the attack; "guest," the one who acts on the defensive. The passage may be merely figurative, illustrating the conduct of those who practise Tao.

From the above it is clear that China is not retreating but advancing. What is the use of this wisdom from past ages if is not even used by the people of the land where this came from? Well China was not the China we know of nowadays so it needs to get back to its roots.

This saying is of the paradoxal nature but does apply to the issue of China in terms of what will happen to them if they act upon their pledge to attack. China is starting to act and trying to grasp and area of islands that it deems useful for resources. This is all coming out of greed and as Lao-Tzu wisely says the result will be loss.

"He who acts, destroys; he who grasps, loses. Therefore the Sage does not act, and so does not destroy; he does not grasp, and so he does not lose."

A saying from Lao Tzu which if read by the Chinese could be the only way to stop the war. It is wiser to use teachings from one's own respected history. Lao Tzu clearly denounces acts of violence as he is aware that no good can come from it. If China continues to act like a child then its days are numbered until the breakup of the Chinese Communist Party. Keep in mind that Lao Tzu was enlightened and ahead of his times.

"Where the princely man abides, the weak left hand is in honour. But he who uses weapons honours the stronger right. Weapons are instruments of ill omen; they are not the instruments of the princely man, who uses them only when he needs must. Peace and tranquillity are what he prizes. When he conquers, he is not elate. To be elate were to rejoice in the slaughter of human beings. And he who rejoices in the slaughter of human beings is not fit to work his will in the Empire."

The Chinese need to go back to their ancient wise books of Lao Tzu: "There is no greater calamity than lightly engaging in war. Lightly to engage in war is to risk the loss of our treasure."