--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Weapons are the tools of violence;all…" description: "\"Weapons are the tools of violence;all decent men detest them.Weapons are the tools of fear;a decent man will avoid themexcept in the direst necessityan..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ec/laozi-147_attending_weapons-are-the-tools-of-violence-all-de_806786.jpg" --- # Weapons are the tools of violence;all decent men detest… ![“Weapons are the tools of violence;all decent men detest them.Weapons are the tools of fear;a decent man will avoid themexcept in the direst necessityand, if compelled, will use themonly with the utmost restraint.Peace is his highest value.If the peace has been shattered,how can he be content?His…” quote by Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ec/laozi-147_attending_weapons-are-the-tools-of-violence-all-de_806786.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ec/laozi-147_attending_weapons-are-the-tools-of-violence-all-de_806786.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ec/laozi-147_attending_weapons-are-the-tools-of-violence-all-de_806786.jpg) > “Weapons are the tools of violence;all decent men detest them.Weapons are the tools of fear;a decent man will avoid themexcept in the direst necessityand, if compelled, will use themonly 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 victoryand delight in the slaughter of men?He enters a battle gravely,with sorrow and with great compassion,as if he were attending a funeral” [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. Violence is a tool of fear; a wise person avoids it, using it only when absolutely necessary and with restraint, valuing peace above all. **In simple terms:** Avoid weapons unless forced; use them sparingly and compassionately. Key Takeaway Prioritize peace, act with restraint when conflict is unavoidable. Themes peace violence restraint compassion ethics Mood reflective somber thoughtful Type philosophical ethical inspirational When to use this quote - war reporting - self‑defense - peacekeeping - conflict resolution - personal ethics Key Concepts Taoism moral philosophy non‑violence Questions to Reflect On - When is it morally permissible to use force? - How can one maintain compassion in battle? A Different Perspective Even with restraint, using weapons can cause harm and moral conflict. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attending](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attending/) [Battle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/battle/) [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Compelled](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compelled/) [Decent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decent/) [Decent man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decent-man/) [Delight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/delight/) [Demon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/demon/) [Detest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/detest/) [Detest Weapons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/detest-weapons-6159930/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Funeral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funeral/) [Harm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harm/) [Has beens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/has-beens/) [Highest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/highest/) [Human beings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-beings/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Rejoice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rejoice/) [Restraint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/restraint/) [Shattered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shattered/) [Slaughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/slaughter/) [Sorrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sorrow/) [Tao](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tao/) [Tools](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tools/) [Tools Violence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tools-violence-6159931/) [Use](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/use/) [Value Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/value-peace-529194/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) [Victory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/victory/) [Violence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violence/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) [Weapons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weapons/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) ## Related quotes > [Attending fully and becoming supple, Can you be as a newborn babe?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/attending-fully-and-becoming-supple-can-you-be-as-a-newborn-babe/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [Things are not worth attending to, yet they have to be attended to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/things-are-not-worth-attending-to-yet-they-have-to-be-attended-to/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [“International peace negotiations need more value creation than value claiming. The more we create value for peace and development, the easier it is going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-ray/international-peace-negotiations-need-more-value-creation-than-value/) [Amit Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-ray/) > [I like being alone because I value my peace of mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-tew/i-like-being-alone-because-i-value-my-peace-of-mind/) [Robert Tew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-tew/) > [I value peace when it is not bought at the price of fundamental decencies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elia-kazan/i-value-peace-when-it-is-not-bought-at-the-price-of-fundamental/) [Elia Kazan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elia-kazan/) > [“It is because of pain that you value pleasure, sorrow that you value joy, despair that you value hope, war that you value peace,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/it-is-because-of-pain-that-you-value-pleasure-sorrow-that-you-value/) [Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/) > [We respect and value our peace agreement with Egypt, which is a cornerstone of stability in the region as well as an important partner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoav-gallant/we-respect-and-value-our-peace-agreement-with-egypt-which-is-a/) [Yoav Gallant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoav-gallant/) > [If you have not suffered hunger, you do not appreciate having something to eat. If you have not gone through a war, you don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/if-you-have-not-suffered-hunger-you-do-not-appreciate-having/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) > [I value peace, and I should unwillingly see any event take place which would render war a necessary resource.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-value-peace-and-i-should-unwillingly-see-any-event-take-place-which/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“I’d start a war just to illustrate the value of peace.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/i-d-start-a-war-just-to-illustrate-the-value-of-peace/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [Our armed forces will fight for peace in Iraq, a peace built on more secure foundations than are found today in the Middle East.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/our-armed-forces-will-fight-for-peace-in-iraq-a-peace-built-on-more/) [John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/) > [We love and we value peace; we know its blessings from experience. We abhor the follies of war, and are not untried in its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/we-love-and-we-value-peace-we-know-its-blessings-from-experience-we/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [It turns out that the men who ultimately, who unpretentiously value peace are willing to sacrifice their own peace of mind in order to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/it-turns-out-that-the-men-who-ultimately-who-unpretentiously-value/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [I value peace, too, when it is not bought at the price of fundamental decencies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elia-kazan/i-value-peace-too-when-it-is-not-bought-at-the-price-of-fundamental/) [Elia Kazan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elia-kazan/) > [Having known war I know the value of peace. Having lived under government control I know the value of freedom. Having lived with hatred,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phan-thi-kim-phuc/having-known-war-i-know-the-value-of-peace-having-lived-under/) [Phan Thi Kim Phuc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phan-thi-kim-phuc/) ## 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 Attending quotes > [While I was pregnant, I had dozens of checkups. They covered everything from blood tests to ultrasounds, and I even had the option of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liya-kebede/while-i-was-pregnant-i-had-dozens-of-checkups-they-covered-everything/) [Liya Kebede](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liya-kebede/) > [Economists actually disagree about whether there are significant economic returns from attending an elite college versus a less-selective one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-oster/economists-actually-disagree-about-whether-there-are-significant/) [Emily Oster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-oster/) > [President Obama and Vladimir Putin are both in China attending the same economic summit. Obama saw Putin and said, 'After those midterms, it's nice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conan-o-brien/president-obama-and-vladimir-putin-are-both-in-china-attending-the/) [Conan O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conan-o-brien/) > [I still get excited just attending a final four, because the process is so long, so arduous, so challenging, that when it finally arrives,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karch-kiraly/i-still-get-excited-just-attending-a-final-four-because-the-process/) [Karch Kiraly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karch-kiraly/) > [When thou art offended at any man's fault, forthwith turn to thyself and reflect in what manner thou doest error thyself... 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I wanted to give myself a special birthday present for my fortieth birthday, and I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-mcferrin/well-i-started-conducting-kind-of-by-accident-i-wanted-to-give-myself/) [Bobby McFerrin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-mcferrin/) > [Growing up under the heavy hand of the School Sisters of Notre Dame, it was drummed into me that attending weekly mass was not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-o-reilly/growing-up-under-the-heavy-hand-of-the-school-sisters-of-notre-dame/) [Bill O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-o-reilly/) > [Too many of us dissipate our energy by being 'for all good causes,' attending meetings and passing resolutions, organizing and presenting petitions — all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ammon-hennacy/too-many-of-us-dissipate-our-energy-by-being-for-all-good-causes/) [Ammon Hennacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ammon-hennacy/) > [If you feel bored or uncomfortable as you're writing, ask yourself what's bothering you and write about that. Sometimes your creative energy is like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/if-you-feel-bored-or-uncomfortable-as-you-re-writing-ask-yourself/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [It is a matter of public shame that while we have now commemorated our hundredth anniversary, not one in every ten children attending Public…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-lawson/it-is-a-matter-of-public-shame-that-while-we-have-now-commemorated/) [Henry Lawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-lawson/) > [Washington tends to be full of too many traps. I think reporters there do a lot of attending news briefings and news conferences expecting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-brokaw/washington-tends-to-be-full-of-too-many-traps-i-think-reporters-there/) [Tom Brokaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-brokaw/) > [A genius is the man in whom you are least likely to find the power of attending to anything insipid or distasteful in itself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-james/a-genius-is-the-man-in-whom-you-are-least-likely-to-find-the-power-of/) [William James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-james/) > [After a child has arrived at the legal age for attending school,-whether he be the child of noble or of peasant,-the only two absolute…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/after-a-child-has-arrived-at-the-legal-age-for-attending-school/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) [Browse all 223 Attending quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attending/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Weapons are the tools of violence;all decent men detest them.Weapons are the tools of fear;a decent man will avoid themexcept in the direst necessityand, if compelled, will use themonly 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 victoryand delight in the slaughter of men?He enters a battle gravely,with sorrow and with great compassion,as if he were attending a funeral", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Laozi" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/weapons-are-the-tools-of-violence-all-decent-men-detest-them-weapons/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Attending" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/weapons-are-the-tools-of-violence-all-decent-men-detest-them-weapons/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ec/laozi-147_attending_weapons-are-the-tools-of-violence-all-de_806786.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ec/laozi-147_attending_weapons-are-the-tools-of-violence-all-de_806786.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ec/laozi-147_attending_weapons-are-the-tools-of-violence-all-de_806786.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Weapons are the tools of violence;all decent men detest them.Weapons are the tools of fear;a decent man 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": "Weapons are the tools of violence;all...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/weapons-are-the-tools-of-violence-all-decent-men-detest-them-weapons/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/weapons-are-the-tools-of-violence-all-decent-men-detest-them-weapons/#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 } } ] } ```