Too much preparation for the war； brings war；
The multitude of wishes brings conflicts amongst people。
That is why the Wise One says：
〃Don't have too many laws
And the people will govern themselves。
Think of peace and the people won't suffer。
Live a simple life and people will live in harmony。〃
58
When leaders do not install too many law restrictions；
People are happy；
Otherwise people are unhappy。
From greater abundance； poverty follows；
From greater poverty； abundance will arise。
Thus the middle way is the best。
The Wise Person follows the middle way；
He is himself a live example。
He does not push his will； thus people follow him；
Correct in actions； good results are achieved。
He follows discipline； but tolerant with others；
People will notice his contentment。
59
To lead a country； modesty is necessary。
The Wise Person being reasonable； he is on the Tao Way。
Being on the Tao Way； he is accompanied by Virtue
In everything he does。
Thus he is successful in all undertakings。
He can even lead a country by his example。
He is qualified to lead because；
He follows the Way of the Heaven。
60
A country is managed with great care。
When a country is managed with wisdom
The evil forces are weak。
Thus people won't feed the evil。
The Wise Person and his entourage
Do maintain the good among themselves。
In all they do the Virtue is present
Thus the world is continuous improved。
61
A big country attracts everybody。
There many people will meet。
It is like the feminine spirit that attracts by submission。
One who submits leads in a subtle way。
In a similar way； a big country which
Does not show its pride and power
Will conquer the small countries without struggle。
If a small country submits becomes bigger
Thus the big country acquires more people
And the small country more space。
The gain is therefore mutual。
62
The Tao way is the way of light。
For good people it is a treasure； the weak run away。
Good words will gain people's hearts；
By good deeds respect is obtained。
But the Tao Way is above all；
The one who can see it is truly bathes in light。
To choose a leader； not richness or human experience is necessary；
But his proficiency of the Tao Way is essential。
Why the ancient did appreciate those of the Tao Way？
Because they were loved by people！
63
Good deeds are not done in a hurry；
Efficient work does not need great effort。
By small steps； what is little will grow；
And what is behind will eventually come in front。
Great expeditions start with a small step；
Great achievements have little beginnings；
The Wise Person is able to envisage future results；
In small steps； and humble beginnings。
Thus the Wise One following the Tao Way；
Starting with moderation； anything is achieved。
His works are thus solid and time lasting；
Because all it is done patiently and without struggle。
64
Troubles can be avoided even before arising。
When harmony is maintained beforehand；
Confusion is not able to surface。
By closing the door； the entry is not possible；
A big tree was in its beginning a tiny offshoot；
Thus a great expedition starts with a little step。
The Wise Person is not looking to gain anything；
He does not want glory or reputation。
Thus he cannot loose anything。
This is his living proof of achievements without efforts。
65
Sages from the ancient time taught people the simple life；
Without a simple life； knowledge is indeed useless。
When leaders mislead people；
People will follow by misleading each other。
Thus the fraud becomes the master of everybody。
By knowing this； misery not yet arrived can be avoided。
66
The water of a river follows always down the valley；
The river is thus the master of the valley。
To gain people's hearts； is necessary to serve them；
To lead people； they must be followed。
Thus being above people； the Wise Person
Does not look like an oppressor。
When the Wise Person stands in front of people；
They do not feel as being confronted。
Thus the Wise Person is a living proof of his wisdom；
People around him have the feeling of being protected。
67
Those people following Tao have three main qualities；
Compassion that generates courage；
Caution that generates power；
And modesty that generates influence。
But people's ordinary actions
Are to glorify a false hero。
To obtain power through force and lack of caution；
To acquire influence by the display of pride。
But only the one who is compassionate is a true hero；
Only the cautious one is able to obtain real power；
Only the humble one can truly influence people；
Because he in on the Tao path。
68
Compassion is the best defense。
A good fighter is not afraid and not aggressive；
An efficient conqueror is not involved in heavy fighting；
A true leader does not display his authority in an aggressive way。
The courageous and not…threatening one attracts people；
A good conqueror does not base his gain through violence；
A good leader does not acquire his status through aggressive authority；
Because the path of harmony generate harmony in everything。
69
It is easier to retreat ten meters than to advance one；
Disputes could be solved by being in waiting。
Instead of an aggressive advancement it is better to retreat and wait；
Without displaying power and being aggressive；
Battles could be won。
Do not underestimates your enemy； neither those courageous in battle。
In the beginning aggressiveness seems to win；
But at the end； he who is compassionate wins。
70
There are few in the world following the Wise One
Who lives and acts with simplicity。
The ordinary person hardly understands the way of the Wise；
Although the facts are evident and logic in their manifestations。
By giving respect and honour to the Wise One；
We become part of his wisdom。
Although the Wise One might not have expensive apparel；
He might seem not much important；
But his treasure rests in his heart。
71
Knowing our limits is wisdom；
Not knowing our limits is ignorance。
The Wise One knows his limits；
Thus he knows always what is possible to be done。
72
The Wise One does not act without the inner urge。
He does not interfere with other people affairs；
He takes to arms only in defense。
Although he knows his value very well；
The Wise One does not exalt his personality。
He gives great respect o himself；
But does not expect the same from others。
He lets the course of actions of life to flow；
When they do not touch him in any way。
He intervenes only when actions；
Have significance for his life。
73
A courageous man who does not control himself；
Either kills or is killed。
But a courageous man； himself in control； lives；
The heaven protects the one who does not harm anyone。
The Tao Way is similar；
Being neither opposing nor struggling to go forwards。
Although does not speak out； it gets an answer。
Although does not ask for anything； obtains everything。
Although does not want to achieve anything； all is achieved。
In its immensity； Tao seems to be empty；
But it is like a sieve that follows the laws of matter。
74
The justice system could not rely of death penalty；
Because for those not afraid of death；
Will be entirely inefficient。
When oppression brings death at every occasion；
Who could be afraid of death？
Thus the judges in such a country are not relevant。
75
When leaders become greedy there will be famine。
When leaders follow only the self…interest； people become unruly。
When leaders do kill without a good reason；
People will revolt without fear of death。
76
The human being is born fragile and sensible；
When dying it is inflexible and stiff。
The offshoots are flexible and fragile；
When plant is old； they become stiff and die。
What is strong and stiff is the sign of death；
What is weak； fragile and sensible is the sign of life。
A stiff tree is hard to bend；
When blown by a strong wind is broken。
What is not flexible will die；
What is heavy and stiff falls to the ground；
What is light is carried far away by the wind。
77
The Tao Way is like a stretched bow；
The extremities will lower when the middle rises。
What is in excess diminishes； what is little rises。
The Tao Way takes from where there is excess；
And does add wherever there is shortage。
But the ordinary human way it is such that it；
Takes from where is shortage；
And gives to whoever has already abundance。
How then the mankind could be happy？
But the Wise Person knows that he does not own anything truly；
Whatever surplus he has is given to the people； without expectations。
Working without pride； he is a living proof。
78
Nothing is so flexible like the water although appears to be weak；
But in time could penetrate the hardest rock。
What seems to be light； in time conquers the heavy；
What seems to be weak； in time conquers the strong；
Although these facts look like being known by everyone；
Few people are ready to apply them in life。
The one who is modest is the best leader；
The one who could solve people's problems is the read leader。
79
When laws and rules are too stringent；
People have the natural urge to violate them。
The Wise Person follows his duties without expectations；
Thus his virtue is acknowledged。
He does not take possession of own virtue；
Similarly as nature do