Respect themselves but do not praise themselves
Thus they discard that and take this
When people no longer fear the dominating force of authority； they will bring about greater force against the authority in an uprising。
Thus the wise ruler would not attempt to limit the people in their living space or their thoughts。 Nor would the wise ruler deny the people their means of livelihood。
If the ruler does not oppress the people in these ways； the people also will not reject the leadership。
Therefore； when interacting with people； the sages are accepting and humble。 They possess the clarity of self…knowledge； so they have no need to put themselves on a pedestal to seek external validation。 They possess the confidence of self…respect； so they have no need to praise themselves and highlight their own achievements。
Thus； the sages discard arrogance and pomposity while embracing self…knowledge and self…respect。
73
The bold in daring will be killed
The bold in not daring will survive
Of these two； one may benefit； the other may harm
The one hated by heaven … who knows the reason？
Even the sages still find this difficult
The Tao of heaven：
Does not contend and yet excels in winning
Does not speak and yet excels in responding
Is not summoned and yet comes on its own
Is unhurried and yet excels in planning
The heavenly net is vast
Loose； and yet does not let anything slip through
Those who are bold and forward in being reckless tend to take unnecessary risks。 Sooner or later； these risks catch up with them and cause their demise。
Those who are resolute in being cautious tend to be much more sensible。 They advance while managing their risk exposure； so they can conserve their resources while continuing to thrive。
We can see that these two approaches yield very different results。 The careful resolve may bring benefits； while the reckless charge may bring harm。
It seems as if heaven dislikes those who are rash and thoughtless； and punish them accordingly。 It is as if it has a preference for courageous rationality。 We do not know why this should be the case。
Even the sages still have a difficult time explaining it； because they have always known the Tao to be impartial and unbiased。 Natural forces； being without human emotions； do not have likes or dislikes。
Perhaps it is all due to the nature of the heavenly Tao。 For instance； we can see that the Tao contends with no one； and yet invariably wins out in the end。 Water flows around an obstructing rock without challenging it or fighting it； but in time it is certain that the water will reduce the rock to nothing and wash it away。
The Tao does not speak as humans do； and yet it is infinitely responsive。 For every action we impose； nature responds with an equal and opposite reaction。 The response of the Tao is swift and certain。
We cannot summon the Tao； but no matter what we do； the Tao comes of its own accord。 Whether good or bad； the Tao manifests itself in all of our endeavors。 Good deeds bring positive karma； malice invokes negative karmic consequences。
The Tao process proceeds at a natural pace。 The Tao is never rushed or frantic； and yet its infinite organizing power coordinates every event in the cosmos regardless of scale or distance。 The universe is a pageantry of unimaginable complexity and precision； all choreographed by Tao； the ultimate planner。
The Tao can be likened to a net that stretches across the universe。 All things exist within the meshes of its natural laws。 This matrix of existence is loose and relaxed； and yet takes everything into account and does not leave anything out。
Notes
The final； unsaid element of this chapter is that those who possess courageous resolve but advance with caution are congruent with the Tao； and that is why they seem to be favored by the heavenly powers。
Note that this chapter makes an interesting distinction between courage and daring。 Courage means being resolute； dauntless and firm； daring means throwing caution to the winds； full speed ahead and damn the torpedoes。 One is an inner quality born of conviction； the other is an external display of bravado。
Those who possess this inner quality are similar to the Tao in the following ways：
1。 Because they are unadventurous； they do not struggle against others； just as the Tao contends against no one。 But despite this seemingly yielding nature； they consistently achieve their objectives in the long run。
2。 They are quiet and unassuming； just as the Tao does not speak。 However； they remain ever responsive to changing conditions out of their sense of caution。 When circumstances change； they are ready to alter their approach to better aim for a moving target。
3。 They are also fully present in all of their activities； just as the Tao is present in all things。 They bring mindfulness to their work。 By being totally aware in each moment of life； they enhance and deepen everything they do。
4。 They are composed and prepared； just as the Tao plans and coordinates its myriad movements in a relaxed and unhurried way。 They see how flowers bloom when the season is right and not a moment sooner； so they also take their time in thoughtful planning。 By being well…prepared； they are able to act with composure and maximize their chances of success。。。 when the time is right； and not a moment sooner。
74
People do not fear death
How can they be threatened with death？
If people are made to constantly fear death
Then those who act unlawfully
I can capture and kill them
Who would dare？
There exists a master executioner that kills
If we substitute for the master executioner to kill
It is like substituting for the great carpenter to cut
Those who substitute for the great carpenter to cut
It is rare that they do not hurt their own hands
People seem to have no fear of death； so how can they be scared by the threat of execution？ Wouldn't it be futile for us to use death as a deterrent？
If； for the sake of argument； we say that people have a constant fear of death； and we capture and kill anyone who acts in a strange and unlawful manner； then who would dare to be an outlaw？
（But since there are still many outlaws； it does look as if the death penalty … capital punishment … is not very effective！）
There is a master executioner who is always present。 Call it Karma； or Nature； or the Law of Reciprocity。 This executioner is perfectly impartial and never fails to dispense the appropriate punishment； including death。
There is no need for human beings to assume the role of this master executioner； to enact what they perceive to be justice。 Trying to do so is similar to a novice trying to cut wood like an expert carpenter。
When novices clumsily pretend to be masters of wood cutting； it would be rare for them to not accidentally cut their own hands。 Similarly； those who think they can kill on behalf of the master executioner would likely end up harming themselves。
（Thus； a society that avidly supports capital punishment hurts itself。 Aside from the observation that the death penalty doesn't seem effective； we should also consider the possibility that innocents may be executed by mistake … and certainly those who are killed can no longer make amends and repay their debt to society。）
Notes
The concept of the 〃master executioner〃 in this chapter is a continuation of the 〃heavenly net〃 concept from the previous chapter。 They are different ways to describe the same karmic mechanism that seems to pervade reality。
At first glance； this chapter appears to be directed at the ruler。 Whenever we see this in the Tao Te Ching； we know that the teaching operates on multiple levels。 Not only is it a social commentary； but it is also a recommendation on how we can conduct our lives。
The central idea is that the negative approach is rarely effective。 The use of the death penalty does not necessarily improve society。 If we execute everyone on death row today； we would feel no safer tomorrow。 The more we resort to killing as a response to our frustration and anger with violence； the more violent society becomes。
Similarly； the use of threats and punishment is far less effective than positive reinforcement in the Tao of interpersonal relationships。 Thus； sages do not criticize or accuse。 Instead； they guide and nurture through sincere praise and approval。
The lesson also applies to the ruling of one's inner kingdom。 While it is important for us to recognize our past mistakes； it is futile for us to dwell on them and beat ourselves up。 Blaming ourselves will not move us closer to our goals。 Proactive； positive actions will do a far better job of that。
75
The people's hunger
Is due to the excess of their ruler's taxation
So they starve
The people's difficulty in being governed
Is due to the meddling of their ruler
So they are difficult to govern
The people's disregard for death
Is due to the glut in their ruler's pursuit of life
So they disregard death
Therefore those who do not strive for living
Are better than those who value living
When people are hungry … when their basic survival needs are in question … it is because the ruler overzealously imposes ever increasing taxes； leaving very little for them to sustain themselves。 As a result； the people starve。
When people are difficult to control … when they are openly rebellious and refuse to obey orders … it is because the ruler constantly meddles in their livelihood with more and more restrictive rules。 In reaction； the people become defiant against authority。
When people disregard death … when they no longer care if they live or die … it is because the ruler pursues an extravagant lifestyle； indulging in ever more luxuries while the people suffer hardship。 Seeing this； the people brave death to rise against the ruler。
Therefore； we can see from the above that a ruler who does not obsessively focus on 〃the good life〃 would be much better than the ruler who values the mindless pursuit of luxurious living。
Under such a wise rul