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But in these days men forsake gentleness and become only obtrusive。
They abandon economy and become only excessive。
They relinquish humility and strive for precedence； and thus for death。
Gentleness is ever victorious in attack and secure in defence。
Therefore when Heaven would preserve a man it enfolds him with gentleness。
68
The good commander is not imperious。
The good fighter is not wrathful。
The greatest conqueror does not wage war。
The best master governs by condescension。
This is the virtue of not contending。
This is the virtue of persuasion。
This is the imitation of Heaven； and this was the highest aim of the ancients。
69
A great warrior has said； 〃I dare not be the host； I would rather be the guest； I dare not advance an inch； I would rather retire a foot。〃
Now this I call filling in without marshalling the ranks； baring the arms without preparing to fight； grasping the sword without unsheathing it； and advancing upon the enemy without coming into conflict。
There is nothing so unfortunate as entering lightly into battle。
For in doing so we are in danger of losing that which is most precious。
Thus it happens that when opposing forces meet in battle； he who feels the pity of is assuredly conquers。
70
Easy are my words to know； and also to practice。
Yet none is able to understand nor yet to practice them。
For there is a remote origin for my words； and a supreme law for my actions。
Not knowing these； men cannot know me。
Those who know me are few； and by them I am esteemed。
For the wise man is outwardly poor； but he carries his jewel in his bosom。
71
To know one's ignorance is the best part of knowledge。
To be ignorant of such knowledge is a disease。
If one only regards it as a disease； he will soon be cured of it。
The wise man is exempt from this disease。
He knows it for what it is； and so is free from it。
72
When men do not have a right fear of present dangers； they run into extremes of peril。
Let them beware of enlarging the house； being wary of present conditions。
If they do not despise it； no such weariness will arise。
This is why the Sage； while possessed of self…knowledge； does not parade himself。
He loves； but does not value himself highly。
Thus he can put away pride； and is content。
73
He whose courage is expressed in daring will soon meet death。
He whose courage is shown in self…restraint will be preserved。
There are； then； two kinds of courage； the one is injurious and the other of advantage。
But who is to say why one of them should incur the judgement of Heaven？
That is why the Sage finds it difficult to act。
The celestial Tao does not strive； and yet overcomes everything。
It does not speak； yet is skilful in replying。
It does not call； yet things come to it readily。
It is quiet in its methods； yet its plans are thoroughly effective。
The net of Heaven has large meshes； and yet nothing escapes it！
74
When the people do not fear death； of what use is it to overawe them with it as a penalty？
And if they were always held in fear of death； and I could lay my hand upon all evil doers and slay them； would I dare to do it？
There is always the Great Executioner！
For one to usurp that office is like a novice cutting out the work of a great architect。
Such a one rarely fails to cut his own hands！
75
The people suffer from famine on account of the heavy taxation put upon them。
This is the cause of their need。
The people are difficult to govern because of the overbearing of their superiors。
This is the cause of their trouble。
The people make light of dying because of the great hardships of trying to live。
This is the reason for their indifference to death。
Therefore to keep living in obscurity is better than making overmuch of it。
76
Man at his birth is supple and tender； but in death he is rigid and strong。
It is the same with everything。
Trees and plants in their early growth are pliant and soft； but at the end they are withered and tough。
Thus rigidity and strength are concomitants of death； but softness and gentleness are companions of life。
Therefore the warrior who relies on his strength cannot conquer death； while the powerful tree becomes a mere timber support。
For the place of the strong and the firm is below； while that of the gentle and yielding is above。
77
Like the bending of an archer's bow is the Tao of Heaven！
It brings down that which is high； and raises up that which is depressed。
It takes away where there is excess； and gives where there is deficiency。
The Tao of Heaven makes all things equal。
This Tao is not of man。
Man takes from the needy to add to his own excess。
Who is he that； having a superabundance； can bring it to the service of the world？
Only he who has the Tao。
This is why the wise man acts without expectation of reward； and completes his task without claiming merit。
For thus he hides his wealth。
78
Nothing on earth is so weak and yielding as water； but for breaking down the firm and strong it has no equal。
This admits of no alternative。
All the world knows that the soft can wear away the hard； and the weak can conquer the strong； but none can carry it out in practice。
Therefore the Sage says： He who bears the reproach of his country is really the lord of the land。 He who bears the woes of the people is in truth their king。
The words of truth are always paradoxical。
79
When a compromise is effected after a long dispute； one of the parties retains a grudge： how can this be called a good settlement？
Therefore the wise man takes his part of the bond； and does not insist upon having the other。
The virtuous man attends only to his engagements in the bond； while the man without virtue contrives for his own advantage。
The Tao of Heaven has no favourites； it always aids the good man。
80
If I had a small kingdom and but ten or a hundred men of ability； I would not administrate with them。
I would teach the people to look upon death as a grievous thing； and then they would not go abroad to meet it。
Though they had boats and carriages； yet they would not go away in them。
Though they had armour； yet they would never have occasion to wear it。
The people would return to the use of the quipu。
They should find their coarse food sweet； think their plain clothes grand； regard their homes as places of rest； and take delight in their own simple pleasures。
Though the neighbouring state could be seen by us； and the crowing of the cocks and the barking of the dogs could be heard；
Yet my people would grow old； and die before ever feeling the need of having intercourse with it。
81
Sincere words are not grand。
Grand words are not faithful。
The man of Tao does not dispute。
Those who know it are not learned。
The learned do not know it。
T