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This is the primal identity。
Be like the Tao。
It can't be approached or withdrawn from；
benefited or harmed；
honored or brought into disgrace。
It gives itself up continually。
That is why it endures。
57
If you want to be a great leader；
you must learn to follow the Tao。
Stop trying to control。
Let go of fixed plans and concepts；
and the world will govern itself。
The more prohibitions you have；
the less virtuous people will be。
The more weapons you have；
the less secure people will be。
The more subsidies you have；
the less self…reliant people will be。
Therefore the Master says：
I let go of the law；
and people become honest。
I let go of economics；
and people become prosperous。
I let go of religion；
and people become serene。
I let go of all desire for the common good；
and the good becomes common as grass。？br》
58
If a country is governed with tolerance；
the people are comfortable and honest。
If a country is governed with repression；
the people are depressed and crafty。
When the will to power is in charge；
the higher the ideals； the lower the results。
Try to make people happy；
and you lay the groundwork for misery。
Try to make people moral；
and you lay the groundwork for vice。
Thus the Master is content
to serve as an example
and not to impose her will。
She is pointed； but doesn't pierce。
Straightforward； but supple。
Radiant； but easy on the eyes。
59
For governing a country well
there is nothing better than moderation。
The mark of a moderate man
is freedom from his own ideas。
Tolerant like the sky；
all…pervading like sunlight；
firm like a mountain；
supple like a tree in the wind；
he has no destination in view
and makes use of anything
life happens to bring his way。
Nothing is impossible for him。
Because he has let go；
he can care for the people's welfare
as a mother cares for her child。
60
Governing a large country
is like frying a small fish。
You spoil it with too much poking。
Center your country in the Tao
and evil will have no power。
Not that it isn't there；
but you'll be able to step out of its way。
Give evil nothing to oppose
and it will disappear by itself。
61
When a country obtains great power；
it becomes like the sea：
all streams run downward into it。
The more powerful it grows；
the greater the need for humility。
Humility means trusting the Tao；
thus never needing to be defensive。
A great nation is like a great man：
When he makes a mistake； he realizes it。
Having realized it； he admits it。
Having admitted it； he corrects it。
He considers those who point out his faults
as his most benevolent teachers。
He thinks of his enemy
as the shadow that he himself casts。
If a nation is centered in the Tao；
if it nourishes its own people
and doesn't meddle in the affairs of others；
it will be a light to all nations in the world。
62
The Tao is the center of the universe；
the good man's treasure；
the bad man's refuge。
Honors can be bought with fine words；
respect can be won with good deeds；
but the Tao is beyond all value；
and no one can achieve it。
Thus； when a new leader is chosen；
don't offer to help him
with your wealth or your expertise。
Offer instead
to teach him about the Tao。
Why did the ancient Masters esteem the Tao？
Because； being one with the Tao；
when you seek； you find；
and when you make a mistake； you are forgiven。
That is why everybody loves it。
63
Act without doing；
work without effort。
Think of the small as large
and the few as many。
Confront the difficult
while it is still easy；
accomplish the great task
by a series of small acts。
The Master never reaches for the great；
thus she achieves greatness。
When she runs into a difficulty；
she stops and gives herself to it。
She doesn't cling to her own comfort；
thus problems are no problem for her。
64
What is rooted is easy to nourish。
What is recent is easy to correct。
What is brittle is easy to break。
What is small is easy to scatter。
Prevent trouble before it arises。
Put things in order before they exist。
The giant pine tree
grows from a tiny sprout。
The journey of a thousand miles
starts from beneath your feet。
Rushing into action； you fail。
Trying to grasp things； you lose them。
Forcing a project to completion；
you ruin what was almost ripe。
Therefore the Master takes action
by letting things take their course。
He remains as calm
at the end as at the beginning。
He has nothing；
thus has nothing to lose。
What he desires is non…desire；
what he learns is to unlearn。
He simply reminds people
of who they have always been。
He cares about nothing but the Tao。
Thus he can care for all things。
65
The ancient Masters
didn't try to educate the people；
but kindly taught them to not…know。
When they think that they know the answers；
people are difficult to guide。
When they know that they don't know；
people can find their own way。
If you want to learn how to govern；
avoid being clever or rich。
The simplest pattern is the clearest。
Content with an ordinary life；
you can show all people the way
back to their own true nature。
66
All streams flow to the sea
because it is lower than they are。
Humility gives it its power。
If you want to govern the people；
you must place yourself below them。
If you want to lead the people；
you must learn how to follow them。
The Master is above the people；
and no one feels oppressed。
She goes ahead of the people；
and no one feels manipulated。
The whole world is grateful to her。
Because she competes with no one；
no one can compete with her。
67
Some say that my teaching is nonsense。
Others call it lofty but impractical。
But to those who have looked inside themselves；
this nonsense makes perfect sense。
And to those who put it into practice；
this loftiness has roots that go deep。
I have just three things to teach：
simplicity； patience； compassion。
These three are your greatest treasures。
Simple in actions and in thoughts；
you return to the source of being。
Patient with both friends and enemies；
you accord with the way things are。
Compassionate toward yourself；
you reconcile all beings in the world。
68
The best athlete
wants his opponent at his best。
The best general
enters the mind of his enemy。
The best businessman
serves the communal good。
The best leader
follows the will of t