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Not that they lose their spiritual power； But their spiritual power can no longer harm people。 Not only will their supernatural power not harm people； But the sage also will not harm people。
When both do not harm each other； Virtue will be accumulated in both for the benefit （of the people）。
61
A big country may be compared to the lower part of a river。 It is the converging point of the world； It is the female of the world。 The female always overcomes the male by tranquillity； And by tranquillity she is underneath。
A big state can take over a small state if it places itself below the small state； And the small state can take over a big state if it places itself below the big state。
Thus some； by placing themselves below； take over （others）； And some； by being （naturally） low； take over （other states）。
After all； what a big state wants is but to annex and herd others； And what a small state wants is merely to join and serve others。
Since both big and small states get what they want； The big state should place itself low。
62
Tao is the storehouse of all things。 It is the good man's treasure and the bad man's refuge。
Fine words can buy honour； And fine deeds can gain respect from others。 Even if a man is bad； when has （Tao） rejected him？
Therefore on the occasion of crowning an emperor or installing the three ministers； Rather than present four large pieces of jade preceded by teams of four horses； It is better to kneel and offer this Tao。
Why did the ancients highly value this Tao？ Did they not say； 〃Those who seek shall have it and those who sin shall be freed〃？ For this reason it is valued by the world。
63
Act without action。 Do without ado。 Taste without tasting。
Whether it is big or small； many or few； repay hatred with virtue。
Prepare for the difficult while it is still easy。 Deal with the big while it is still small。
Difficult undertakings have always started with what is easy。 And great undertakings have always started with what is small。
Therefore the sage never strives for the great； And thereby the great is achieved。
He who makes rash promises surely lacks faith。 He who takes things too easily will surely encounter much difficulty。
For this reason even the sage regards things as difficult。 And therefore he encounters no difficulty。
64
What remains still is easy to hold。 What is not yet manifest is easy to plan for。 What is brittle is easy to crack。 What is minute is easy to scatter。
Deal with things before they appear。 Put things in order before disorder arises。
A tree as big as a man's embrace grows from a tiny shoot。 A tower of nine stories begins with a heap of earth。 The journey of a thousand li starts from where one stands。
He who takes action fails。 He who grasps things loses them。 For this reason the sage takes no action and therefore does not fail。 He grasps nothing and therefore does not lose anything；
A sane man is sane in knowing what things he can spare； In not wishing what most people wish； In not reaching for things that seem rare。
Therefore the sage desires to have no desire； He does not value rare treasures。 He learns to be unlearned； and returns to what the multitude has missed （Tao）。 Thus he supports all things in their natural state but does not take any action。
65
In ancient times those who practiced Tao well Did not seek to enlighten people； but to make them ignorant。
People are difficult to govern because they have too much knowledge。 Therefore he who rules the state through knowledge is a robber of the state； He who rules a state not through knowledge is a blessing to the state。
One who knows these two things also （knows） the standard。 Always to know the standard is called profound and secret virtue。
Virtue becomes deep and far…reaching； And with it all things return to their original state。 Then complete harmony will be reached。
66
The great rivers and seas are kings of all mountains streams Because they skillfully stay below them。 That is why they can be their kings。
Therefore； in order to be the superior of the people； One must； in the use of words； place himself below them。 And in order to be ahead of the people； One must； in one's own person； follow them。
Therefore the sage rejoices in praising him without getting tired of it。
It is precisely because he does not compete that the world cannot compete with him。
67
All the world says that my Tao is great and does not seem to resemble （the ordinary）。 It is precisely because it is great that it does not resemble （the ordinary）。 If it did resemble； it would have been small for a long time。
I have three treasures。 Guard and keep them： The first is deep love； The second is frugality； And the third is not to dare to be ahead of the world。
Because of deep love； one is courageous。 Because of frugality； one is generous。 Because of not daring to be ahead of the world； one becomes the leader of the world。
Now； to be courageous by forsaking deep love； To be generous by forsaking frugality； And to be ahead of the world by forsaking following behind … This is fatal。
For deep love helps one to win in the case of attack； And to be firm in the case of defense。 When Heaven is to save a person； Heaven will protect him through deep love。
68
A skillful leader of troops is not oppressive with his military strength。 A skilful fighter does not become angry。
A skilful conqueror does not compete with people。 One who is skilful in using men puts himself below them。
This is called the virtue of non…competing。 This is called the strength to use men。 This is called matching Heaven； the highest principle of old。
69
The strategists say： 〃I dare not take the offensive but I take the defensive； I dare not advance an inch but I retreat a foot。〃
This means： To march without formation； To stretch one's arm without showing it； To confront enemies without seeming to meet them； To hold weapons without seeming to have them。
There is no greater disaster than to make light the enemy。
Therefore when armies are mobilized and issues joined； The man who is sorry over the fact will win。
70
My doctrines are easy to understand and very easy to practice； But none in the world can understand or practice them。
My doctrines have a source （Nature）； my deeds have a master （Tao）。 It is because people do not understand this that they do not understand me。 Few people know me； and therefore I am highly valued。
Therefore the sage wears a coarse cloth on top and carries jade within his bosom。
71
To know that you do not know is the best。 To pretend to know when you do not know is a disease。 Only when one recognizes this disease as a disease can one be free from the disease。
The sage is free from the disease。 Because he recognizes this disease to be disease； he is free from it。
72
When the people do not fear what is dreadful； Then what is greatly dreadful will fall upon them。
Do not reduce the living space of their dwellings。 Do no oppress their lives。 It