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Thought he has his own angles； he does not ask others to match them；
Though he is himself straight； he does not seek to stretch others；
He shines； but he does not make a display of himself。
59
In the ruling of men and the serving of Heaven nothing equals moderaiton。
For moderations leads to foresight in concerving；
Foresight in conserving leads to the storing of treasures of power。
The strength of one who has stored such treasures of power cannot be overcome。
As nothing can overcome it； its potency is boundless。
Because its potency is boundless；
Its possessors can attain sovereignty over the whole kingdom。
And if； having attained sovereignty； he returns to the Mother；
He will endure long。
For by striking deep roots he will be building on firm foundations；
And through contemplation he will repose in the Eternal Tao。
60
Rule a great kingdom as you would cook a small fish … gently！
If the Tao ruled in the world； evil spirits would not work their malignant powers。
Not that the evil spirits would lsoe their powers；
No！ But their powers could do no harm to men。
They would do no harm；
Nor would the Sage harm himself by callin gon his spirits to do the people harm。
Therefore。 Since neither of them harmed the other；
Their powers would unite in a common cause。
61
A great kingdom is like the low…running stream to which all rivers flow down： the centre towards which all
converge。
It plays the female part。
The female overcomes the male by quiescence： she puts herself beneath the male。
Similarly； a great kingdom that puts itself beneath a small kingdom gains the adherence of the smaller；
A small kingdom； because in the natural order of things it is below a great kingdom； gains the adherence of the
greater。
The one gains by becoming lowly and putting itself beneath； the other gains by being naturally lowly。
Thus： if the great kingdom desires only to add to the population it already nourishes；
And the small kingdom desires only to unite and serve；
Then both of them assume the positions they desire。
But it is the greater of the two that should seek the lowly position。
62
The Tao is the sanctuary of all creatures in the world。
It is the good man's treasure； the bad man's refuge。
With high…sounding words honours are easily acquired；
With spectacular deeds credit is easily acquired。
But the bad must no be rejected either。
Therefore： when an emperor is enthroned；
And the three Ministers are appointed；
He who comes bearing gifts of jade；
Followed by a retinue of four horses；
Should be less highly prized than he who； without moving； brings the gift of the Tao。
Why was the Tao so highly prized by the Ancients？
Was it not because this could be said of it：
He who seeks it shall receive it；
Sinners seking it sahll be freed from sin。
That is why they thought it the most precious of all things。
63
He who acts by non…actiuon；
Who does； but does not undertake；
Who finds savour in the tasteless …
Will see the great in the litle； the many in the few。
〃He will repay injuries with kindness；
He will deal with hard things while they are still easy；
And tackle great things while they are still small。〃
All difficulties on earth and easy in their beginnings；
All great things start by being small。
Therefore the Sage：
Because he does not turn his attention to the great；
Achieves greatness。
Ready promises inspire little confidence；
He who takes things too lightly encounters many difficulties。
Therefore the Sage：
Because he recognizes what is difficult；
Never has any difficulties。
64
That which is motionless can be easily held；
That which has not been forecast can be easily planned；
Hat which is still tender can be easily broken；
That which is minute can be easily scattered。
Take things in hand before they come into existence；
Put things in order before they are in a state of confusion。
The tree which fills your arms' embrace brew from a tine shoot；
The nine…storey tower arose from a heap of earth。
The journey of a thousand miles began with the spot of earth covered by one's own feet。
He who acts； spoils。 He who grasps； loses。
The Sage does ot act： therefore he does not spoil things。
He does no grasp； therefore he does not lose things。
But ordinary people； eagerly going about their business；
Often fail when the are on the verge of succeeding。
Keep watch on the end as well as on the beginning；
Then you will not fail。
Therefore the Sage：
Desires only the undesiring；
He does not value things that are hard to come by。
He learns how not to learn；
Turning back to those things which others have passed through；
And thus helps all creatures to fulfil their own natures。
But he does not venture to act。
65
In olden times those who were most practiced in the Tao did not use their knowledge to instruct the people； they
used it rather to keep them simple。
It is when they are overstocked with learning that the people are hard to govern。
To govern by adding to the people's store of learning is to prey on the country；
To govern by decreasing the people's store of learning is to be a blessing to the country。
He who is familiar with these two methods will not want for a touchstone。
Always bearing this in mind； he will be able to draw on the Mysterious Power；
This power is infinitely deep and far…reaching； and； unlike all things else； goes back and back；
Until it atains to complete Unity。
66
Oceans and mighty rivers are as kings to all the valleys； because they lower themselves to thelevel of the valleys：
That is why they are as kings of the valeys。
Therefore the Sage； if he would be above the people； must in speech seem to put himself below the people。
IF he would lead the people； he must place himself behind them。
Thus： although he is above the people； he is not a burden to them；
Although he goes ahead of the people； he does not block their way。
Thus： the whole world willingly follows and esteems him and is not irked by him。
And because he does not contend； no one contends with him。
67
All the world declares that the Tao of which we speak may be supreme； but nevertheless it baffles definition。
Indeed； it is because it is supreme that it baffles definition。
If it had been definable it would have long since become as negligible as the conventions。
These are my three treasures； which I prize and protect：
The first is compassion； the second is moderation； the third is； not to attempt to be the first among men。
If you are compassionate； you can be truly brave；
If you are moderate； you can be truly generous；
If you do not attempt to be the first among men； you can become the chief of ministers。
But nowadays； if you are brave it is at the expense of compass