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rfection。
Manipulate difficulties while they are easy。 Take in hand great things while they are insignificant。 Every difficult thing in the world had its origin in what was at first easy。 Every great thing in the world was once significant。 Therefore the Holy Man makes no distinctions and thus he is able to accomplish that which is great。
Small faith can be placed in promises lightly made。
The easier a matter is reckoned the more difficult it proves at the last； for this reason the Holy Man sees difficulties in everything； and therefore he encounters no difficulties。
64
Whatever is at rest can easily be taken in hand； while yet no omens have appeared plans can be easily formed。
What is brittle is easily broken； what is minute is easily scattered。
Act before necessity arises； regulate before disorder commences。
The trunk that can scarcely be embraced sprang from a tiny shoot； the tower that is nine stories high was raised from a mound of earth； the journey of a thousand li commenced when the foot was placed on the ground。
Who makes； mars； who grasps； loses。
The Holy man practices non…action； hence he never injures； he never grasps； hence he never loses。 The majority are too eager for results in attending to their affairs； and spoil everything。 There would be no such failures were they as cautious at the end as at the beginning。
Hence the Holy Man desires passionlessness； he does not prize articles that are rare； he studies to be unlearned； he reverts to that which the masses pass by。 In this way he promotes the natural development of things without venturing to interfere。
65
From the most ancient of times those who have practiced the Tao have depended on the simplicity of the people rather than on their adroitness。
When the people are difficult to control it is because they possess too much worldly wisdom。
Who governs by worldly wisdom is a robber in the land； who governs without out is a blessing to the state。
To know these two axioms is to become a model。 To understand how to be a model is indeed the mystery of energy。
Verily； deep and far…reaching is this mystery of energy。 It is the opposite of all that is visible； but it leads to universal concord。
66
That which enables the rivers and the seas to become the rulers of all the water…courses in their ability to remain in the lowest； it is on this account that they are the rulers of them all。 In like manner the Holy Man； if he wishes to direct the people must speak of himself as subject to them； if he wishes to lead them he must
put himself in the background。 Hence the Sages are supreme； but the people are not burdened； they are in the vanguard； but the people are not harmed。 For this reason the whole Empire delights to exalt them； and no one feels annoyance。 Because they do to strive there is none who can strive with them。
67
It was once generally affirmed that the greater the Self the more impossible it was to compare it with anything else。 Now it is just this greatness which makes it incomparable； should； however； a comparison be demanded； it would have to be described as the eternal； which is imperceptible。 Now the Self has three
treasures； to which it clings as to inseparables： the first is compassion； the second； self…restraint； the third； nowhere venturing to claim precedence。
Compassionate ？therefore irresistible！
Self…restrained ？therefore enlarged！
Nowhere venturing to claim precedence ？therefore efficient！
Nowadays men cast compassion on one side； yet expect to be irresistible！ They discard self…restraint； yet look for enlargement； they forget to retire； yet demand precedence！ ？this is death。
As regards compassion； rely on it when you would contend； and you will overcome； rely on it when you would protect； and you will succeed。 Heaven is ever ready to deliver because of the protection compassion brings。
68
The most skillful warriors are not warlike； the best fighters are not wrathful； the mightiest conquerors never strive； the greatest masters are ever lowly。
This is the glory of non…strife； and the might of utilization； these equal heaven； they were the goal of the ancients
69
Military commanders have a saying：
I dare not act as host but only as a guest； rather than advance an inch I would retire a foot。
This marching without moving； bearing the invisible arm； regarding the enemy as if he were not； grasping the sword that is not。
There is no calamity greater than making light of the enemy； to make light of the enemy is to endanger my retention of the treasures。 Hence once the opposing forces have met it is the pitiful who conquer。
70
It is very easy to comprehend my teachings and to put them into practice。 Yet there is no one in the world who is able either to comprehend； or to practice them。
There is an originating principle for speech； an authoritative law for conduct； but because this knowledge is lacking I am unknown。 Those who know Me are few； those who imitate Me are worthy。 Hence the Holy Man wears coarse garments； but carries a jewel in his bosom。
71
The highest attainment is to know non…knowledge。 To regard ignorance as knowledge is a disease。 Only be feeling the pain of this disease do we cease to be diseased。 The perfected man； because h eknows the pain of it； is free from this disease。 It is for this reason that he does not have it。
72
The limits of the greatest fear have been reached when the people cease to fear that which is to be feared。
Neither regard your lot as mean； nor despise the conditions of your birth； for that which is not despised arouses no disgust。
Hence although the Holy Man knows himself he makes no display； although he loves himself he seeks no reputation。 On this account he rejects the one while clinging to the other。
73
The recklessly rash die。 The cautiously courageous live。 Of these two courses it is uncertain which is advantageous and which is disadvantageous； for who can explain why heaven disapproves？ Therefore even the Holy Man feels a difficulty here。 This is the way of heaven：
Goodwill； which surely overcomes。
Silence； which certainly responds。
Without being summoned； spontaneously arriving。
Acting leisurely； but planning effectively。
Heaven抯 net spreads everywhere； wide in mesh； yet losing nothing。
74
Why use death as a deterrent； when the people have no fear of death？
Even supposing they shrank from death as from a monster； and by playing on their terror I could slay them； should I dare？
There is one who inflicts sentence of death。 To usurp his functions and to kill would be to assume the role of Master…Carpenter。 There are few who can act as Master…Carpenter without cutting their hands。
75
The people suffer from famine because of the multitude of taxes consumed by their superiors。 Because of this they suffer from famine。 The people are difficult to govern because of the officiousness of their superiors； because of this they are difficult to govern。 Men are continually dying because they lust