to serve； the other。 Each gets what it desires； but the great state must learn to abase itself。
62
Tao has of all things the most honoured place。 No treasures give good men so rich a grace； Bad men it guards； and doth their ill efface。
（Its） admirable words can purchase honour； （its） admirable deeds can raise their performer above others。 Even men who are not good are not abandoned by it。
Therefore when the sovereign occupies his place as the Son of Heaven； and he has appointed his three ducal ministers； though （a prince） were to send in a round symbol…of…rank large enough to fill both the hands； and that as the precursor of the team of horses （inthe court…yard）； such an offering would not be equal to （a lesson of） this Tao； which one might present on his knees。
Why was it that the ancients prized this Tao so much？ Was it not because it could be got by seeking for it； and the guilty could escape （from the stain of their guilt） by it？ This is the reason why all under heaven consider it the most valuable thing。
63
（It is the way of the Tao） to act without （thinking of） acting； to conduct affairs without （feeling the） trouble of them； to taste without discerning any flavour； to consider what is small as great； and a few as many； and to recompense injury with kindness。
（The master of it） anticipates things that are difficult while they are easy； and does things that would become great while they are small。 All difficult things in the world are sure to arise from a previous state in which they were easy； and all great things from one in which they were small。 Therefore the sage； while he never does what is great； is able on that account to accomplish the greatest things。
He who lightly promises is sure to keep but little faith； he who is continually thinking things easy is sure to find them difficult。 Therefore the sage sees difficulty even in what seems easy； and so never has any difficulties。
64
That which is at rest is easily kept hold of； before a thing has given indications of its presence； it is easy to take measures against it； that which is brittle is easily broken； that which is very small is easily dispersed。 Action should be taken before a thing has made its appearance； order should be secured before disorder has begun。
The tree which fills the arms grew from the tiniest sprout； the tower of nine storeys rose from a （small） heap of earth； the journey of a thousand li commenced with a single step。
He who acts （with an ulterior purpose） does harm； he who takes hold of a thing （in the same way） loses his hold。 The sage does not act （so）； and therefore does no harm； he does not lay hold （so）； and therefore does not lose his bold。 （But） people in their conduct of affairs are constantly ruining them when they are on the eve of success。 If they were careful at the end； as （they should be） at the beginning； they would not so ruin them。
Therefore the sage desires what （other men） do not desire； and does not prize things difficult to get； he learns what （other men） do not learn； and turns back to what the multitude of men have passed by。 Thus he helps the natural development of all things； and does not dare to act （with an ulterior purpose of his own）。
65
The ancients who showed their skill in practising the Tao did so； not to enlighten the people； but rather to make them simple and ignorant。
The difficulty in governing the people arises from their having much knowledge。 He who （tries to） govern a state by his wisdom is a scourge to it； while he who does not （try to） do so is a blessing。
He who knows these two things finds in them also his model and rule。 Ability to know this model and rule constitutes what we call the mysterious excellence （of a governor）。 Deep and far…reaching is such mysterious excellence； showing indeed its possessor as opposite to others； but leading them to a great conformity to him。
66
That whereby the rivers and seas are able to receive the homage and tribute of all the valley streams； is their skill in being lower than they；it is thus that they are the kings of them all。 So it is that the sage （ruler）； wishing to be above men； puts himself by his words below them； and； wishing to be before them； places his person behind them。
In this way though he has his place above them； men do not feel his weight； nor though he has his place before them； do they feel it an injury to them。
Therefore all in the world delight to exalt him and do not weary of him。 Because he does not strive； no one finds it possible to strive with him。
67
All the world says that； while my Tao is great； it yet appears to be inferior （to other systems of teaching）。 Now it is just its greatness that makes it seem to be inferior。 If it were like any other （system）； for long would its smallness have been known！
But I have three precious things which I prize and hold fast。 The first is gentleness； the second is economy； and the third is shrinking from taking precedence of others。
With that gentleness I can be bold； with that economy I can be liberal； shrinking from taking precedence of others； I can become a vessel of the highest honour。 Now…a…days they give up gentleness and are all for being bold； economy； and are all for being liberal； the hindmost place； and seek only to be foremost；（of all which the end is） death。
Gentleness is sure to be victorious even in battle； and firmly to maintain its ground。 Heaven will save its possessor； by his （very） gentleness protecting him。
68
He who in （Tao's） wars has skill Assumes no martial port； He who fights with most good will To rage makes no resort。 He who vanquishes yet still Keeps from his foes apart； He whose hests men most fulfil Yet humbly plies his art。
Thus we say； 'He ne'er contends； And therein is his might。' Thus we say； 'Men's wills he bends； That they with him unite。' Thus we say； 'Like Heaven's his ends； No sage of old more bright。'
69
A master of the art of war has said； 'I do not dare to be the host （to commence the war）； I prefer to be the guest （to act on the defensive）。 I do not dare to advance an inch； I prefer to retire a foot。' This is called marshalling the ranks where there are no ranks； baring the arms （to fight） where there are no arms to bare； grasping the weapon where there is no weapon to grasp； advancing against the enemy where there is no enemy。
There is no calamity greater than lightly engaging in war。 To do that is near losing （the gentleness） which is so precious。 Thus it is that when opposing weapons are （actually） crossed； he who deplores （the situation） conquers。
70
My words are very easy to know； and very easy to practise； but there is no one in the world who is able to know and able to practise them。
There is an originating and all…comprehending （principle） in my words； and an authoritative law for the things （which I enforce）。 It is because they do not know these； that men do not know me。
They who know me are few； and I am on that account （the more） to be prized。 It is thus that the sage wears （a poor garb of） hair cloth； while he carries his （signet of） jade in his bosom。
71
To know and yet （think） we do not know is the highest （attainment）； not to know （and yet think） we do know is a disease。
It is simply by being pained at （the thought of） having this disease that we are preserved from it。 The sage has not the disease。
He knows the pain that would be inseparable from it； and therefore he does not have it。
72
When the people do not fear what they ought to fear； that which is their great dread will come on them。
Let them not thoughtlessly indulge themselves in their ordinary life； let them not act as if weary of what that life depends on。
It is by avoiding such indulgence that such weariness does not arise。
Therefore the sage knows （these things） of himself； but does not parade （his knowledge）； loves； but does not （appear to set a） value on； himself。 And thus he puts the latter alternative away and makes choice of the former。
73
He whose boldness appears in his daring （to do wrong； in defiance of the laws） is put to death； he whose boldness appears in his not daring （to do so） lives on。 Of these two cases the one appears to be advantageous； and the other to be injurious。 But When Heaven's anger smites a man； Who the cause shall truly scan？
On this account the sage feels a difficulty （as to what to do in the former case）。
It is the way of Heaven not to strive； and yet it skillfully overcomes； not to speak； and yet it is skilful in （obtaining a reply； does not call； and yet men come to it of themselves。 Its demonstrations are quiet； and yet its plans are skilful and effective。 The meshes of the net of Heaven are large； far apart； but letting nothing escape。
74
The people do not fear death； to what purpose is it to （try to） frighten them with death？ If the people were always in awe of death； and I could always seize those who do wrong； and put them to death； who would dare to do wrong？
There is always One who presides over the infliction death。 He who would inflict death in the room of him who so presides over it may be described as hewing wood instead of a great carpenter。 Seldom is it that he who undertakes the hewing； instead of the great carpenter； does not cut his own hands！
75
The people suffer from famine because of the multitude of taxes consumed by their superiors。 It is through this that they suffer famine。
The people are difficult to govern because of the （excessive） agency of their superiors （in governing them）。 It is through this that they are difficult to govern。
The people make light of dying because of the greatness of their labours in seeking for the means of living。 It is this which makes them think light of dying。 Thus it is that to leave the subject of living altogether out of view is better than to set a high value on it。
76
Man at his birth is supple and weak； at his death； firm and strong。 （So it is with） all things。 Trees and plants； in their early gro