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ture's marvelous sagacity。
52
Nature； because it has mothered all； may be regarded as Mother Nature。
He who understands Mother Nature； understands her children。 But to avoid the children's mistakes； one should follow close to Mother Nature herself； If throughout his life he desires a safe guide。
If one remains silent and keeps to himself； he will not fail to fulfill his life；
But is he gives advice and meddles in others' affairs； he invites trouble。
If you see what is small as it sees itself； And accept what is weak for what strength it has； and use what is dim for the light it gives； Then all will go well。
This is called acting naturally。
53
Let us be intelligent and follow Nature itself。 Let us not stray。
Nature's way is simple and easy； but men prefer the intricate and artificial。
When they congregate in artistically engineered cities； and neglect their farms； their food supply is cut off。
When they bedeck themselves with ornaments and weapons； and display their fancy foods and rich properties； they thereby invite thievery。 This is acting unnaturally。
54
What is deeply rooted in Nature cannot be uprooted。 He who embraces Nature's way as his own will not easily go astray； And his children and grandchildren will continue to emulate him。
If one embodies Nature's way in his own life； he will be genuinely intelligent。 If he establishes it in his family； his home life will be felicitous。 If he cultivates it in he community； his future will be prosperous。 If he fosters it in his state； his future will be auspicious。 If he inspires in in the whole country； his benefit will become universal。 Thus one's own individual life serves as an example for other individuals。
One's family life serves as an example for other individuals。 One's family life serves as a model for other families。 One's community serves as a standard for other communities。 One's state serves as an ideal for other states。
How do I know all this？ It is obvious。
55
He who is intelligent is like a little child。 Poisonous insects do not sting him。 Ferocious beasts do not attack him。 Wild birds do not claw him。 His bones are soft； his muscles weak； yet is grip is strong。
Because he has no urge for sexual union； he is fully satisfied。 His vitality is intact。
He can cry all day without getting hoarse。 His existence is harmonious。 To know such harmony is to be in accord with Nature。
To be in accord with Nature is to be achieving the goal of life。 But to seek excitement is to invite calamity。 Those too eager for activity soon become fatigued。
For when things exhaust their vigour； they age quickly。 Such impatience is against Nature。 What is against Nature dies young。
56
He who is wise keeps silent。 He who advises is a fool。
The wise man shuts his mouth； Closes his doors； Curbs his anxieties； Withdraws from entanglements； Remains untempted by attractions； And retains his self…sufficiency。
Nature is profoundly impartial。 It cannot be persuaded by pampering； Nor dissuaded by scoffing。 It cannot be tempted by bribes； Nor influenced by injury。 It cannot be cajoled by flattery； Nor chagrined by slander。 Thus it is the most reliable thing in the world。
57
A good leader guides by example； A bad leader resorts to force and intrigue。 Everything gains by noninterference。 How do I know this？
Consider the evidence： The more restrictions and taxes there are； the poorer the people become。 The more weapons people possess； the more they fight。
The more complicated machines become； the greater the danger from mechanical accident。 The more laws are enacted and taxes assessed； the greater the number of law…breakers and tax…evaders。
This is why the intelligent man concludes： When I attend to my own business； other people are able to attend to theirs。 When I exemplify self…reliance； other people will devote themselves to the exercise of their own intelligence。
When I make no demands upon them； other people themselves will prosper。 When I express no desire to interfere in their lives； others will become genuinely self…sufficient。
58
When government governs little； people are happy。 When government governs much； people are miserable。
Thus happiness depends on little； And misery depends on much。
What does the desire to govern come to？ To restrict interferers is itself interference。 So attempts to increase happiness end only in misery。 Mankind has been foolish for so long a time！
The intelligent man knows what is best； but does not make others conform。 He knows directions； but does not direct。 He pursues the straightest way to the goal； but does not urge others to deviate from their course。 He is enlightened； but he cares not whether others see his light。
59
In managing men or anything else； the intelligent man uses self…restraint。 Only by self…restraint can one forestall trouble。
Forestalling trouble strengthens one's position。 Such strengthened position enables one to withstand everything。 Withstanding everything； one remains unchallenged。
Being unchallenged； one governs easily。 Because he embodies Mother Nature within himself； he retains a sound position。
This is the way to be deeply rooted and firmly based； And durable and long…lived。
60
Whether governing a big country or cooking a little fish； follow Nature's way and no evil tendencies will get control。
This does not mean that the dangers of evils can be eliminated entirely； but only that they will cease to harm men。
When ordinary men are unharmed； their leaders are unharmed。
And when nobody harms anybody； perfect harmony prevails。
61
To be great； a state must be passively receptive； like the ocean which accepts whatever the rivers bring into it； or like the feminine which always submits to the masculine。 Recall how the female always overcomes the male by means of her passivity。 Passivity is submissiveness。
Thus the great state places itself at the service of a small state before before it absorbs the small state。 And a small state must serve the interests of the great state before it can be taken into the great state。
Hence； some submit in order to take； while others submit in order to be taken。
When a great state desires to have more people； and a small state desires to be protected；
it is by submission that both obtain what they desire。
62
Nature is profoundly worth while。 It is that which is most worth while for good men； And it is the only real value for bad men。
Flattery may gain favours； and gifts may help one to advance； But bad men know how to flatter and bribe。
Therefore when leaders are installed in office； Better than he who artfully gives lavish gifts and glowing tribute； Is one who； by doing nothing but accepting his natural role as a follower； pays genuine homage。
Why have men always valued Nature？ Was it not because Nature submitted humbly to the task of benefiting the good and the bad alike？ Is this not the reason why it is the most worth while thing in the world？
63
Act disinterestedly …