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Who knows how it will all end？ Is there no right and wrong？ The orthodox also becomes the unorthodox； the good also becomes ill； people's confusion is indeed long…standing。
Therefore sages are upright without causing injury； honest without hurting； direct but not tactless； illuminated but not flashy。
59
To govern the human and serve the divine； nothing compares to frugality。
Only frugality brings early recovery； only recovery means buildup of power。 Build up virtue； and you master all。 When you master all； no one knows your limit。 When no one knows your limit； you can maintain a nation。
When you maintain the matrix of a nation； you can last long。
This is called making the root deep and the basis firm； the Way of long life and eternal vision。
60
Governing a large nation is like cooking a little fish。
When the world is ruled by the Way； the ghosts are powerless。
It is not that the ghosts are powerless； their spirits do not harm the people。 Not only do the spirits not harm the people； sages do not harm the people either。
Because the two do not harm each other； their virtues ultimately combine。
61
A great nation flows downward into intercourse with the world。 The female of the world always prevails over the male by stillness。
Because stillness is considered lower； by lowering itself to a small nation a great nation takes a small nation； by being lower than a great nation a small nation takesa gret nation。
So one takes by lowering itself； another takes place by being lower。
A great nation wants no more than to include and nurture people； a small nation ants no more than to admit and serve people。
Both get what they want； so the great should be below。
62
The Way is the pivot of all things： the treasure of good people； the safeguard of those who are not good。
Fine words can be sold； honored acts can oppress people； why should people who are not good abandon them。
Therefore to establish an emperor and set up high officials； one may have a great jewel and drive a team of horses； but that is not as good as advancing callmly on this Way。
Why did the ancients value this Way？ By it one can attain without long seeking and escape from the faults oe has； therefore it is valued by the world。
63
By nondoing； strive for nonstriving； savor the flavorless；
regard the small as important； make much of little； repay enmity with virtue；
plan for difficulty when it is still easy； do the great while it is still small。
The most difficult things in the world must be done while they are easy； the greatest things in the world must be done whenthey are small。
Because of this sages never do greeat things； that is why they can fulfill their greatness。
If you agree too easily； you'll be little trusted； if you take it easy a lot； you'll have a lot of problems。
Therefore it is through difficulty that sages end up without problems。
64
What is at rest is easy to hold。 What has not shown up is easy to take into account。 What is frail is easy to break。 What is vague is easy to dispel。
Do it before it exists； govern it before there's disorder。
The most massive tree grows from a sprout； the highest building rises froma pile of earth； a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step。
Those who contrive spoil it； those who cling lose it。 Thus sages contrive nothing； and so spoil nothing。 They cling to nothing； and so lose noting。
Therefore people's works are always spoiled on the verge of completion。 Be as careful of the end as of the beginning； and nothing will be spoiled。
Thus sages want to have no wants； they do not value goods hard to get。 They learn not learning to recover from people's excesses； thereby to assist the naturalness of all beings； without daring to contrive。
65
In ancient times； good practitioners of the Way did not use it to enlighten the people； but to make them unsophisticated。
When people are unruly； it is because of their sophistication。 So to govern a country by cunning is to rob the country。 Not using cunning to govern a country is good fortune for the country。
Too know these two is also a model。 Being always aware of the model is called hidden virtue。
Hidden virtue is deep； far…reaching； in contrast to ordinary people。 Only when it i thus does it reach great accord。
66
The reason why rivers and seas can be lords of the hundred valleys is that they lower themselves to them all； therefore they can be lords of the hundred valleys。
So when sages wish to rise above people； they lower themselves to them in their speech。 When they want to preceed people； they go after them in status。
So when sages rule； people don't take it gravely。 And when sages are in the forefront； people don't attack them。 Therefore the world happily backs them and does not tire of them。
Because they do not contend； no one in the world can contend with them。
67
Everyone in the world says my Way is great； but it seems incomparble。 It is just because it is great that it seems incomparable： when comparisons are long established it becomes trivialized。
I have three treasures that I keep and hold： one is mercy； the second is frugality； the third is not presuming to be at the head of the world。
By reason of mercy； one can be brave。 By reason of frugality； oe can be broad。 By not presuming to be at the head of the world； one can make your potential last。
Now if one were bold but had no mercy； if one were broad but were not frugal； if one went ahead without deference； one would die。
Use mercy in war； and you win； use it in defense； and you're secure。 Those whom heaven is going to save are those it guards with mercy。
68
Good warriors do not arm； good fighters don't get mad；
good winners don't contend； good employers serve their workers。
This is called the virtue of noncontention； this is called mating with the supremely natural and pristine。
69
There are sayings on the use of arms： 〃Let us not be aggressors； but defend。〃 〃Let us not advance an inch； but retreat a foot。〃
This is called carrying out no action； shaking no arm； facing no enemy； wielding no weapon。
No calamity is greater than underestimating opponents。 If you underestimate opponents； you're close to losing your treasure。
So when opposing armies clash； the compassionate are the ones who win。
70
My sayings are easy to recognize； and very easy to apply。 But no one in the world can recognize them； and no one can apply them。
Sayings have a source； events have a leader。 It is only through ignorance that I am not known。 Those who know me are rare； those who emulate me a noble。
This is why sages dress plainly； and conceal what is precious。
71
To know unconsciously is best。 To presume to know what you don't is sick。 Only by recognizing the sickness of sickness is it possible to be not sick。
The sages' freedom from ills was from recognizing the sickness of sickness； so they didn't suffer from sickness。
72
When the people are n