---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Those who have compassion when they do…"
description: "\"Those who have compassion when they do battle will be victorious. Those who likewise defend themselves will be safe. Heaven will rescue and protect the..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50a/laozi-147_battle_those-who-have-compassion-when-they-do-b_2681844.jpg"
---

#  Those who have compassion when they do battle will be…

![“Those who have compassion when they do battle will be victorious. Those who likewise defend themselves will be safe. Heaven will rescue and protect them with compassion.” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50a/laozi-147_battle_those-who-have-compassion-when-they-do-b_2681844.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50a/laozi-147_battle_those-who-have-compassion-when-they-do-b_2681844.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50a/laozi-147_battle_those-who-have-compassion-when-they-do-b_2681844.jpg)

> “Those who have compassion when they do battle will be victorious. Those who likewise defend themselves will be safe. Heaven will rescue and protect them with compassion.”

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Compassion in conflict leads to victory and safety; divine protection follows merciful action.

**In simple terms:** Compassion in battle brings safety and divine aid.

Key Takeaway

Act with compassion in conflict.

Themes

compassion conflict spirituality

Mood

serene inspirational

Type

philosophical spiritual

When to use this quote

- military leadership
- personal disputes
- social justice

Key Concepts

ethical warfare moral conduct

Questions to Reflect On

- Can compassion coexist with strength?
- How do you balance self‑defense with mercy?

A Different Perspective

Compassion may be seen as weakness.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Battle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/battle/) [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Heaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven/) [Taoism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taoism/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/)

## Related quotes

> [“You are mine, and Heaven itself cannot rescue you from my power.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-lewis/you-are-mine-and-heaven-itself-cannot-rescue-you-from-my-power/)

[Matthew Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-lewis/)

> [Just as I defend myself, therefore, From all unpleasant happenings however small, Likewise, I shall act for others' sake To guard and to protect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shantideva/just-as-i-defend-myself-therefore-from-all-unpleasant-happenings/)

[Shantideva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shantideva/)

> [“And I imagined this, his hug, his body, him, being my safe-heaven. My normal. My bad days, my good days. My every day...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elena-armas/and-i-imagined-this-his-hug-his-body-him-being-my-safe-heaven-my/)

Elena Armas

> [In the world there are four greats, and the king is one of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-the-world-there-are-four-greats-and-the-king-is-one-of-them/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [Cultivate virtue in yourself, and it will be true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/cultivate-virtue-in-yourself-and-it-will-be-true/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [The brittle is easy to shatter.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-brittle-is-easy-to-shatter/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [What people loathe the most is to be orphaned, desolate, unworthy. But this is what princes and kings call themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-people-loathe-the-most-is-to-be-orphaned-desolate-unworthy-but/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [People take death lightly. They expect too much of life. That is why people take death lightly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/people-take-death-lightly-they-expect-too-much-of-life-that-is-why/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [He (the sage) is good to those who are good. He is also good to those who are not good. That is the virtue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-the-sage-is-good-to-those-who-are-good-he-is-also-good-to-those/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [What's the difference between beautiful and ugly?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-s-the-difference-between-beautiful-and-ugly/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [Can you dissolve your ego? Can you abandon the idea of self and other? Can you relinquish the notions of male and female, short…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/can-you-dissolve-your-ego-can-you-abandon-the-idea-of-self-and-other/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [Without looking through the window, you can see Heaven's Way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/without-looking-through-the-window-you-can-see-heaven-s-way/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [If the sage wants to stand above people, he must speak to them from below. If he wants to lead people, he must follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-the-sage-wants-to-stand-above-people-he-must-speak-to-them-from/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [In lightness the root is lost. In haste the ruler is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-lightness-the-root-is-lost-in-haste-the-ruler-is-lost/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

## More by Laozi

> [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [In lightness the root is lost. In haste the ruler is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-lightness-the-root-is-lost-in-haste-the-ruler-is-lost/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [If the sage wants to stand above people, he must speak to them from below. If he wants to lead people, he must follow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/if-the-sage-wants-to-stand-above-people-he-must-speak-to-them-from/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [Goodie-goodies are the thieves of virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/goodie-goodies-are-the-thieves-of-virtue/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [He that humbles himself shall be preserved entire. He that bends shall be made straight. He that is empty shall be filled. He that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-that-humbles-himself-shall-be-preserved-entire-he-that-bends-shall/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [The Way of the Sage is to act but not to compete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-way-of-the-sage-is-to-act-but-not-to-compete/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [Do nondoing, strive for nonstriving, savor the flavorless, regard the small as important, make much of little, repay enmity with virtue; plan for difficulty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/do-nondoing-strive-for-nonstriving-savor-the-flavorless-regard-the/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [Without looking through the window, you can see Heaven's Way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/without-looking-through-the-window-you-can-see-heaven-s-way/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [Can you dissolve your ego? Can you abandon the idea of self and other? Can you relinquish the notions of male and female, short…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/can-you-dissolve-your-ego-can-you-abandon-the-idea-of-self-and-other/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [The Tao is the center of the universe, the good man's treasure, the bad man's refuge. Honors can be bought with fine words, respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/the-tao-is-the-center-of-the-universe-the-good-man-s-treasure-the-bad/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [What's the difference between beautiful and ugly?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-s-the-difference-between-beautiful-and-ugly/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [In stillness the muddied water returns to clarity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/in-stillness-the-muddied-water-returns-to-clarity/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [He (the sage) is good to those who are good. He is also good to those who are not good. That is the virtue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/he-the-sage-is-good-to-those-who-are-good-he-is-also-good-to-those/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [There is a thing inherent and natural which existed before heaven and earth. Motionless and fathomless, It stands alone and never changes; It pervades…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/there-is-a-thing-inherent-and-natural-which-existed-before-heaven-and/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [What is a good man but a bad man's teacher? What is a bad man but a good man's job? If you do not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/what-is-a-good-man-but-a-bad-man-s-teacher-what-is-a-bad-man-but-a/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

[Explore all 1,140 Laozi quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

## More Battle quotes

> [In the battle for police reform, accountability and justice, Americans don't have to re-invent the wheel. We just have to revoke the thing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-johnson/in-the-battle-for-police-reform-accountability-and-justice-americans/)

[Jason Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-johnson/)

> [This is, for an accomplished Latino, an accomplished African American, an accomplished anyone who disproves stereotypes, it's a constant battle in your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonia-sotomayor/this-is-for-an-accomplished-latino-an-accomplished-african-american/)

[Sonia Sotomayor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonia-sotomayor/)

> [“Which people take the time to care for their souls, these days? I reckon not many. But...hear this: I think that maybe in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-fletcher/which-people-take-the-time-to-care-for-their-souls-these-days-i/)

[Susan Fletcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-fletcher/)

> [Only great and general battles can produce great results](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/only-great-and-general-battles-can-produce-great-results/)

[Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/)

> [Life is a battle of wits, and many people have to fight it unarmed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-esar/life-is-a-battle-of-wits-and-many-people-have-to-fight-it-unarmed/)

[Evan Esar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-esar/)

> [Pain held no terror for him. Pain was, if not friend, then family, something he had grown up with in his crèche, learning to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paolo-bacigalupi/pain-held-no-terror-for-him-pain-was-if-not-friend-then-family/)

[Paolo Bacigalupi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paolo-bacigalupi/)

> [There's little in taking or giving, There's little in water or wine: This living, this living, this living, Was never a project of mine.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-parker/there-s-little-in-taking-or-giving-there-s-little-in-water-or-wine/)

[Dorothy Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-parker/)

> [When I step into the batters box. The fans, the noise, the cheers, they all disappear. For that moment, the world is just a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wollstonecraft-shelley/when-i-step-into-the-batters-box-the-fans-the-noise-the-cheers-they/)

[Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wollstonecraft-shelley/)

> [I knew Jimmy Dean. He tested for 'Battle Cry'. Paul Newman tested for 'Battle Cry'. I did nine tests to finally get that role.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tab-hunter/i-knew-jimmy-dean-he-tested-for-battle-cry-paul-newman-tested-for/)

[Tab Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tab-hunter/)

> [“When we let go of our battles and open our heart to things as they are, then we come to rest in the present…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/when-we-let-go-of-our-battles-and-open-our-heart-to-things-as-they/)

[Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/)

> [Love is a battle," said Marie-Claude, still smiling. "And I plan to go on fighting. To the end." Love is a battle?" said Franz.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/love-is-a-battle-said-marie-claude-still-smiling-and-i-plan-to-go-on/)

[Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/)

> [It's almost ironic sitting here watching stories about Norm's courageous 'battle' with cancer. He actually did a bit on stage about how stupid that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-macdonald/it-s-almost-ironic-sitting-here-watching-stories-about-norm-s/)

[Neil Macdonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-macdonald/)

> [“Other folk thought the Rage was simple bloodlust, a berserk savagery that neither knew nor cared what its target was, and so it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-weber/other-folk-thought-the-rage-was-simple-bloodlust-a-berserk-savagery/)

[David Weber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-weber/)

> [The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-millett/the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imposition-of-male-authority/)

[Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-millett/)

> [For many people it's Facebook, or sports on TV, whatever it is. I have my own demons that I battle. But whatever they are,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jess-walter/for-many-people-it-s-facebook-or-sports-on-tv-whatever-it-is-i-have/)

[Jess Walter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jess-walter/)

[Browse all 4,526 Battle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/battle/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Those who have compassion when they do battle will be victorious. Those who likewise defend themselves will be safe. Heaven will rescue and protect them with compassion.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Laozi"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/those-who-have-compassion-when-they-do-battle-will-be-victorious/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Battle"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/those-who-have-compassion-when-they-do-battle-will-be-victorious/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50a/laozi-147_battle_those-who-have-compassion-when-they-do-b_2681844.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50a/laozi-147_battle_those-who-have-compassion-when-they-do-b_2681844.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50a/laozi-147_battle_those-who-have-compassion-when-they-do-b_2681844.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Those who have compassion when they do battle will be victorious. Those who likewise defend themselves will…” — Laozi",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Laozi",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Those who have compassion when they...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/those-who-have-compassion-when-they-do-battle-will-be-victorious/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/those-who-have-compassion-when-they-do-battle-will-be-victorious/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
