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When nothing blocks the way；
one knows no limits。
A man without limit
is fit to lead all。
As a font for all；
he long endures。
Such is rooting deeply and growing firm；
the Way of long life and lasting vision。
60
The people； like crystal：
handle with care。
When leaders express integrity；
dark forces find no potency。
Not that darkness has no power；
but it will do no harm。
Not that it can do no harm；
but no one's left in harm's way。
Neither harms the other：
integrity on both accounts。
61
A great land is a basin
towards which all rivers flow；
a receiver of all here below；
the female spirit of the world。
The receiver ever claims dominion through her stillness。
Still； she has reached the lowest place。
Lying low before a smaller land；
a greater land may win it over。
Lying low before a greater land；
a smaller land may win it over。
Each wins the other by being lower。
A great land is greater still when serving ever more。
A small land is better served when serving what is great。
Each benefits the other；
by which the greater land may see its lowly role。
62
The Way holds sanctuary for all creatures；
a treasure for the true； a refuge for the erring。
Deft words earn favor；
fine works reward。
Let inept works and inapt words earn no less。
When leaders are installed or ministers appointed；
in pomp are reins of power bestowed。
Wiser to withdraw and without ceremony
bestow the Way upon the land。
The ancients said：
〃Seek and you shall find。〃
〃Err and be free from fault。〃
Thus all may value the Way。
63
Work without doing。
Manage without interfering。
Relish the mundane。
Respect the small as great。
Regard the few as many。
Repair insult with integrity。
With difficult tasks； attend to the easy。
With daunting feats； attend to the small。
All big problems were once easy to solve。
All great deeds were once small to begin。
The person of integrity； never anxious for greatness；
achieves the monumental without effort。
Who is quick to promise
can't meet all his commitments。
Who imagines all things easy
finds difficulty at every turn。
A wise man respects the challenge in every act；
thus nothing ever gets the better of him。
64
What is secure is easily held。
What's not yet sure is easily quelled。
What is brittle is easily shattered。
What is little is easily scattered。
Dissolve a problem before it comes near。
Establish order lest chaos appear。
A tree that fills a man's embrace
begins as a seedling at its base。
A nine…layered terrace finds its birth
in modest basketfuls of earth。
A journey to a distant land
begins with a step from where you stand。
Who acts may rue it。
Who grasps may lose it。
A wise man never acts； has naught to rue。
He never grasps； has naught to lose。
How often one fails on the verge of success。
Be ever mindful in the urge to progress。
A wise man aims to be free of want
and never values rarities。
Forsaking what is taught as true；
he does what others never do。
He guides all creatures to their natures each
and never grasps beyond his reach。
65
The ancient adepts of the Way
did not teach the people everything；
freeing them from confusion。
People are hard to govern
when they have too much learning。
Who governs academically
deprives the people。
Who governs sympathically
enriches the people。
Between these two is set a measure；
To respect it always；
such is the wonder of integrity。
How deep； how far…reaching！
It receives all things
and leads them to great oneness。
66
Why is the ocean great？
It lies below all waters。
It calls a million streams its own。
To receive high honor；
posture yourself below others。
To lead others；
posture yourself behind them。
The person of integrity
comes before others without offending；
stands above others without oppressing。
All under heaven ever yield to him。
Because he contends with no one；
no one can contend with him。
67
How great the Way；
like nothing else！
If it were not beyond compare；
how common it would be。
These treasures three
empathy；
economy；
humility
cherish them and hold them close。
Now；
through empathy； one conquers fear。
Through economy； one gives forth。
Through humility； one stewards all。
But courage absent empathy；
generosity absent economy；
leadership absent humility；
invites death within。
Through empathy one wins a war。
Through empathy secure a land。
What heaven brings forth；
compassion sustains。
68
Who battles well
is free of aggression。
Who fights well
is free of anger。
Who conquers his enemy
is free of encounter。
Who wins over others
is free of arrogance。
Such is integrity with no contention。
Such is finding advantage in others。
Such is meeting with heaven；
long since the ultimate。
69
Strategists say：
〃Rather play the guest than dare to host。〃
〃Rather retreat a foot than advance an inch。〃
Advance without armies。
Ward off without arms。
Cast out without confronting。
Pursue without weapons。
No misfortune is greater
than mistaking a worthy opponent。
Not thinking your opponent worthy；
you sacrifice your touchstone。
When well matched forces meet；
who sees the loss will win。
70
These words？br》 How easily understood！
How easily put in practice！
Yet no one understands them。
No one puts them to good use。
Words have history；
works authority。
Who know the Way； how few。
Who follow； how esteemed。
Who has integrity；
on his shoulders find coarse fabric；
in his bosom a precious gem。
71
Know well what you know not。
Unlearn what ill you know。
Wellness here； defect there。
A wise man frees himself from defects
by regarding defects as defects。
72
When no one fears the awesome；
then how great it will appear。
Set no limit on their homes。
Lay no burden on their work。
Without duress； they never weary of you。
The person of integrity
knows himself； yet does not show himself。
He fills himself； yet is not full of himself。
He releases what is without
for what is within。
73
Who dares and fears not； encounters death。
Who fears and dares not； is bound with life。
In each a deficit； in each an asset。
What heaven decries；
who knows why？
The Way of heaven
contends not yet conquers well；
speaks not yet evokes response；
summons not yet draws all near；
bustles not yet meets its purpose。