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Be at one with the world
and get right with Tao。
If you get right with Tao；
you won't be worried
about praise or scorn；
about winning or losing；
about honor or disgrace。
That's the way to be。
57
You can run a country
by sticking to principles；
and you can win a war
with strategy and tactics。
But you can gain the entire world
by doing nothing at all。
How do I know this？
I've seen it happen：
The more restrictions
a nation imposes；
the poorer its people become。
When a nation hoards weapons；
troubles arise from within
and from without。
When its leaders try
to be cunning and clever；
the situation spins
further out of control。
When they try to fix things
by passing more laws；
they only increase the number of outlaws。
A wise leader says to himself：
〃I do nothing；
and people transform themselves。
I keep silent；
and they do the right thing
on their own。
I stay out of the way；
and they prosper。
I want for nothing；
and they lead simple lives。〃
58
When a nation is ruled
with a light touch；
people lead simple lives。
When a government
is harsh and demanding；
people will spend their time
trying to outsmart it。
Happiness is rooted in misery；
and misery lurks beneath all joy。
Who knows what could happen tomorrow？
Everything is relative；
what's considered proper today
may become improper。
Correct appearances
may hide dishonesty and sinfulness。
No wonder so many people get confused。
The Masters have sharp minds；
not sharp tongues。
They are austere；
but never judgmental。
They are straightforward；
but not provocative。
They are brilliant；
but not flashy。
59
Leadership is based on moderation。
Practice moderation；
and you'll get in touch
with the power of Tao。
If you get right with Tao；
nothing is impossible。
If you get right with Tao；
there's no limit to what you can do。
If you get right with Tao；
you can be a true leader。
Remember this advice
if you want to be a leader：
Plant deep roots in firm soil。
Get right with Tao；
and you'll always see things clearly。
60
Being a leader
is like cooking a small fish；
get right with Tao；
and it's quick and easy。
When you're in touch with Tao；
you don't need to worry
about misfortune。
You can't make it go away； of course；
but you can keep it
from harming other people。
Also； as a wise leader；
you cause no harm to others；
so people won't have to worry
about getting hurt；
and they'll take the opportunity
to do the right thing。
61
Power flows down
to every level of existence
like a river to the ocean。
Victory comes
from lying perfectly still
and waiting for power
to come your way。
If you yield to someone
less powerful than yourself；
you will be in a position
to influence them。
If you submit to someone
more powerful than yourself；
you create an opportunity
to get your own way。
So if you want to get ahead；
lay low and bide your time。
That way； everybody's happy。
62
Every living thing
gets its strength from Tao。
Good people respect the value of Tao。
The wicked and foolish don't；
but Tao provides for them anyway。
Some people gain power and prestige through fancy words；
others through great deeds。
But Tao is available to everyone；
not just the powerful。
So don't look down on anybody。
When people become powerful；
and everybody lines up
to kiss their ass；
sit still and stay right with Tao。
Why have the Masters
always respected Tao？
Because when you get right with Tao；
you can always find
swhat you need to get by；
and trouble can never find you。
63
Keep still。
Don't work so hard。
Learn to appreciate everyday life。
Pay attention to details。
Start small and work your way up。
When people give you trouble；
let it slide。
Break everything down to its essentials。
Get the job done
before it becomes a chore。
With the right preparation；
difficult tasks
can be completed with ease；
every major project
consists of simple steps。
The Masters don't take on
more than they can handle；
which is why
they can do just about anything。
Don't promise
more than you can deliver；
and don't underestimate the task：
You'll only make things harder for yourself。
The Masters are always aware
of the difficulties involved；
which is why
they never have to deal with them。
64
It's easy to maintain balance。
Trouble can be nipped in the bud。
Fragile things break easily；
and small things are easy to lose。
Deal with the situation
before it becomes a problem。
Keep everything straight
so it can't get messed up。
Every tree was once a seed。
Every skyscraper started out
with a shovelful of dirt。
Andstop me if you've heard this one before
a journey of a thousand miles
begins with a single step。
When you try too hard；
you defeat your own purpose。
Cling to stuff；
and you will suffer loss。
The Masters make no effort；
so they never fail。
They aren't attached to things；
so they never feel loss。
People often screw up
when the job's nearly done。
Pay as much attention
to the finishing touches
as you do to the initial steps；
and you won't screw up like that。
The Masters try to be free from desire。
They don't collect precious things。
They don't cling to any beliefs。
They pay attention
to what everybody else ignores。
They help the world get right with Tao；
but don't try to change a thing。
65
In ancient times；
leaders who were right with Tao
didn't teach everybody
how to become enlightened。
They kept people's lives simple。
People who know too much
can't be taught anything。
Leaders who try to be clever
always screw things up。
Leaders who keep things simple
always make things right。
If you get that；
you'll understand
the mysterious power of Tao。
That kind of power is so deep；
so extensive；
it penetrates into every level of existence。
66
An ocean is greater
than the hundred rivers
that flow into it；
and all it does is wait
to receive what they bring。
If you want to teach people；
don't talk down to them。
If you want to lead them；
find out where they want to go。
People love leaders
who make them feel safe
without smothering them。
They'll always support
a leader like that；
and because he doesn't try
to compete with anybody；