The Life-Giving Sword

[WALMART]

"From antiquity it has been said, 'Weapons are an inauspicious instrument, abhorred by the Way of Heaven, and to be used only when unavoidable. That is the Way of Heaven.'

How is this so? Bows and arrows, long swords, naginata - such are the weapons of the warrior, such are the instruments of ill fortune and inauspiciousness. Inasmuch as the Way of Heaven is the life-giving Way, then taking up arms to kill is truly unpropitious. To go against the Way of Heaven, verily, is abhorrent.

Be that as it may, it is said too that taking up arms to kill, when unavoidable, is also the Way of Heaven. Why must this be so?

Flowers blossom and greenery flourishes in the spring breeze, yet when the autumn frost comes, leaves fall and trees wither. Such is the decree of the Way of Heaven. There is a season to strike down what has come to fullness. People, too, will take an opportunity to do evil, and when that evil has come to fullness, it must be struck down. This is why it is said the use of weapons can also be the Way of Heaven. Because of the evil of one man, thousands may suffer. But by killing the evil of one man, thousands may live.

Does all this not show certainly that the sword that kills is the sword that gives life?"


Yagyū Munenori

 

[sprinkles]

TTC 31:

Weapons are the tools of violence;
all decent men detest them.

Weapons are the tools of fear;
a decent man will avoid them
except in the direst necessity
and, if compelled, will use them
only with the utmost restraint.
Peace is his highest value.
If the peace has been shattered,
how can he be content?
His enemies are not demons,
but human beings like himself.
He doesn't wish them personal harm.
Nor does he rejoice in victory.
How could he rejoice in victory
and delight in the slaughter of men?

He enters a battle gravely,
with sorrow and with great compassion,
as if he were attending a funeral.

 

[WALMART]

TTC 31:

Interesting passage. TTC 31?

 

[sprinkles]

Interesting passage. TTC 31?

Tao Te Ching

 

[RaptorWizard]

This sounds like an argument saying chaos makes the world change, shifts its currents, and alters the dynamics of the universe - a catalyst for evolution; destruction spawns creation.

 

[Randomnity]

You're talking about a penis, right?

 

[Aesthete]

"Does all this not show certainly that the sword that kills is the sword that gives life?"

Agreed.

 

[indra]

[MENTION=11809]Hive[/MENTION]

You're talking about a penis, right?

Astute...

 

[Mychemicalkilljoy]

Weapons should only be used when necessary. Avoid violence if possible.

 

[Hive]

[MENTION=11809]Hive[/MENTION]

I'm a pragmatist in most matters, and reason the same. I would sacrifice 1 person to save 5 from being crushed by the racing trolley, etc.

"People, too, will take an opportunity to do evil, and when that evil has come to fullness, it must be struck down." If you strike before evil had the opportunity to fully flourish, you might not even have to use your sword.