Translation: A military commander once said, “I dare not take the initiative to attack, but take a defensive position; I dare not take a step forward, but would rather retreat one foot.” This is called having a battle formation, but it is as if there is no battle formation to be arranged; although I want to raise my arms, it is as if there is no arm to be raised; although I face the enemy, it is as if there is no enemy to fight; although I have weapons, it is as if there is no weapon to hold. There is no greater disaster than underestimating the enemy. Underestimating the enemy almost loses my “three treasures”. Therefore, when the strength of the two armies is equal, the sad side can win.
This chapter discusses the philosophy of retreating to advance from the perspective of military science. Lao Tzu believes that war should be based on defense and win by defense, which shows Lao Tzu’s idea of opposing war, and also shows the principle of retreat and being humble in Lao Tzu’s philosophy of life. This chapter talks about the principle of “the army of sorrow will win, and the army of arrogance will lose”, which has become a famous military saying of military strategists throughout the ages. This chapter corresponds to the previous two chapters, both of which are explaining the principles of sorrow, kindness, and gentleness to show the virtue of non-contention.
译文：用兵的人曾经这样说，“我不敢主动进犯，而采取守势；不敢前进一步，而宁可后退一尺。”这就叫做虽然有阵势，却像没有阵势可摆一样；虽然要奋臂，却像没有臂膀可举一样；虽然面临敌人，却像没有敌人可打一样；虽然有兵器，却像没有兵器可以执握一样。祸患再没有比轻敌更大的了，轻敌几乎丧失了我的“三宝”。所以，两军实力相当的时候，悲痛的一方可以获得胜利。
本章从军事学的角度，谈以退为进的处世哲学。老子认为，战争应以守为主，以守而取胜，表现了老子反对战争的思想，同时也表明老子处世哲学中的退守、居下原则。这一章讲到”哀兵必胜，骄兵必败”的道理，成为千古兵家的军事名言。本章和前两章是相应的，都是在阐明哀、慈、柔的道理，以明不争之德。
《道德经》(第六十九章)
用兵有言：
吾不敢为主而为客；
不敢进寸而退尺。
是谓行无行，
攘无臂，
扔无敌，
执无兵。
祸莫大于轻敌，
轻敌几丧吾宝。
故抗兵相加，
哀者胜矣。
Chapter 69
The strategists have a saying:
“I dare not be host, but would rather be guest;
I advance not an inch, but instead retreat a foot.”
This is called
Marching without ranks,
Bearing nonexistent arms,
Flourishing nonexistent weapons,
Driving back nonexistent enemies.
There is no greater misfortune than not having a worthy foe;
Once I believe there are no worthy foes, I have well-nigh forfeited my treasures.
Therefore,
When opposing forces are evenly matched,
The one who is saddened will be victorious.
