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And when those cunning arts are publicly esteemed； then do rogues prosper。
Therefore the wise man says：…
I will design nothing： and the people will shape themselves。
I will keep quiet； and the people will find their rest。
I will not assert myself； and the people will come forth。
I will discountenance ambition； and the people will revert to their natural simplicity。
58
A free and generous government gives the people a chance to develop。
When a government is rigid and exacting the people are cramped and miserable。
Misery is but the shadow of happiness。
Happiness is but the cloak of misery。
When will there be an end to them？
If we dispense with rectitude； distortion will assert itself； and what was good in its way will give place to what is evil。
Verily the people have been under a cloud for a long time。
Therefore the wise man is full of rectitude； but he does not chirp and carve at others。
He is just； but he does not admonish others。
He is upright； but he does not straighten others。
He is enlightened； but he does not offend with his brightness。
59
In ruling men and in serving Heaven there is nothing like moderation。
By means of it one attains to his first estate。
When this is attained a man is possessed of an indefinite store of virtue。
With such a store of virtue he will overcome everything。
And of this mastery there will be no limit。
Thus； without hindrance； he may possess the Kingdom。
Such a man has the mother…constitution； and will endure indefinitely。
He is like the plant whose roots are deep and whose stem is firm。
Thus may a man live long and see many days。
60
The state should be governed as we cook small fish； without much business。
Bringing the Tao to the governing of the Kingdom will give rest to the shades of the dead。
Not that the Spirits will be inactive； but they will cease to trouble the people。
But what is of more importance； the wise ruler of the people will not hurt them。
And in so far as they do not interfere with one another； their influences conspire to the general good！
61
The kingdom； like a river； becomes great by being lowly； it is thereby the centre to which all the world tends。
It is similar in the case of woman：
She conquers man by continual quietness。
And quietness is the same as submission。
Therefore a great state； by condescension to those beneath it； may gain the government of them。
Likewise a small state； by submission to one that is greater； may secure its alliance。
Thus the one gains adherence； and the other obtains favours。
Although the great state desires to annex and to nourish others； yet the small state desires to be allied to and serve the greater。
Thus both will be satisfied； if only the greater will condescend。
62
Tao is the secret guardian of all things。
It enriches the good man and forfends the evildoer。
Its counsel is always in season； its benevolence is always in demand。
Even those who are not good it does not forsake。
Therefore； when the Emperor takes his throne and appoints his nobles； he who comes before him bearing the insignia of a prince and escorted by a mounted retinue is not to be compared with one who humbly presents this Tao。
For why did the ancients hold it in such esteem？
Was it not because it could be had without much seeking； and because by means of it man might escape from sin？
For this it was esteemed the greatest thing in the world。
63
Acting without design； occupying oneself without making a business of it； finding the great in what is the small； and the many in the few； repaying injury with kindness； effecting difficult things while they are easy； and managing great things in their beginnings； is the method of Tao。
All difficult things have their origin in that which is easy； and the great things in that which is small。
Therefore the wise man can accomplish great things without even attempting them。
He who lightly assents will seldom keep his word。
He who accounts all things easy will have many difficulties。
Therefore the Sage takes great account of small things； and so never has any difficulty。
64
What is small is easily held。
What is expected is easily provided for。
What is brittle is easily broken。
What is small is soon dispersed。
Transact your business before it takes shape。
Regulate things before confusion begins。
The tree which fills the arms grew from a tender shoot。
The castle of nine storeys was raised on a heap of earth。
The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step。
Whoever designs only destroys。
Whoever grasps； loses。
The Sage does not act thus； therefore he does no harm。
He does not grasp； and therefore he never loses。
But the common people； in their undertakings； fail on the eve of success。
If they were as prudent at the end as they are at the beginning； there would be no such failures。
Therefore the Sage is only ambitious of what others despise； and sets no value on things difficult to obtain。
He acquires no common learning； but returns to that which people have passed by。
Thus he aims at simple development in all things； and acts without design。
65
The ancients who practiced the Tao did not make use of it to render the people brilliant； but to make them simple and natural。
The difficulty in governing the people is through overmuch policy。
He who tries to govern the kingdom by policy is only a scourge to it； while he who governs without it is a blessing。
To know these two things is the perfect knowledge of government； and to keep them continually in view is called the virtue of simplicity。
Deep and wide is this simple virtue； and though opposed to other methods it can bring about a perfect order。
66
That by which the great rivers and seas receive the tribute of all the streams； is the fact of their being lowly； that is the cause of their superiority。
Thus the Sage； wishing to govern the people； speaks of himself as beneath them； and wishing to lead them； places himself behind them。
So； while he is yet above them； they do not feel his weight； and being before them； he yet causes no obstruction。
Therefore all men exalt him with acclamation； and none is offended。
And because he does not strive； no man is his enemy。
67
All the world avows that while my Taoism is great； it is yet incompetent！
It is its greatness which makes it appear incompetent。
If it were like others； it would long ago have been recognized as incompetent。
But I hold fast to three precious things； which I also cherish。
The first is gentleness。
The second is economy。
The third is humility。
With such gentleness I can be daring。
With such economy I can be generous。
With such humility I can be great in service； as a vessel of honour。
But in these days men forsake gentleness and become only obtrusive。
They abandon economy and become only e