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We follow this virtue because it harmoniously matches the heavenly laws of nature。 Nature is non…contentious。 In a thunderstorm there is tremendous power … but no hatred； anger； or arrogance。 When the ancient sages noted this； they made non…contention their ultimate principle。
69
In using the military； there is a saying：
I dare not be the host； but prefer to be the guest
I dare not advance an inch； but prefer to withdraw a foot
This is called marching in formation without formation
Raising arms without arms
Grappling enemies without enemies
Holding weapons without weapons
There is no greater disaster than to underestimate the enemy
Underestimating the enemy almost made me lose my treasures
So when evenly matched armies meet
The side that is compassionate shall win
In military strategy as well as life strategy； we have a saying that goes like this：
〃I dare not be the host … the aggressor that initiates the conflict。 I prefer to be the guest … the cautious defender。
〃I dare not move forward into a fight； even by an inch。 I prefer to move back a foot； to let my opponent overextend and thus lose balance。〃
With such a strategy； you are actually marching in formation … moving purposefully with a plan … but it appears as if you have no formation。
You are actually using your arms … taking action … but it appears as if you have no arms。
You are actually grappling with the enemy … coming to grips with your opponent … but it appears as if you have no enemies。
You are actually holding a weapon … wielding an effective tool … but it appears as if you have no weapons。
The worst thing you can do in warfare is to underestimate your opponent。 The worst thing you can do in life is to underestimate your challenges。 In either case； it can cause you to charge forth recklessly。 When I did that； I almost lost my treasures （compassion； conservation； and humility）。
From this principle； we can see that when evenly matched armies or individuals clash； the side that approaches the conflict with compassion instead of aggression will end up with a truly meaningful victory。
Notes
Many people believe that overwhelming force wins respect。 This belief forms the basis of the 〃shock and awe〃 military strategy。 History shows that such strategies simply do not work。 Aggression succeeds only in planting the seeds of subsequent retaliation。 It is wisdom and restraint that win respect and admiration； not force。
Judo and Aikido are based on the concepts described in this chapter more than 2；500 years ago。 A master of these arts may appear to be yielding and retreating； and yet is devastatingly effective in combat。
Tao sages apply the same concepts to life。 Acting from compassion； they realize that it is more important to be kind than to be right。 In an argument； why not let the others 〃win〃？
70
My words are easy to understand； easy to practice
The world cannot understand； cannot practice
My words have basis
My actions have principle
People do not understand this
Therefore they do not understand me
Those who understand me are few
Thus I am highly valued
Therefore the sage wears plain clothes but holds jade
The concepts I talk about are easy to understand and easy to put into practice； but most people in the world cannot understand them or put them into practice
The concepts I talk about are based on the source of spiritual truth。 The actions that I put into practice are based on an overall； ruling principle。 People do not understand this unified nature of the Tao； so they fail to understand me。
Those who do understand me are relatively few in number。 They are the rare and exceptional individuals。 This only increases the value of my words and actions。
The sages … those who really understand and are consistent in thoughts and action … excel quietly； invisibly； unknown to most and misunderstood by those around them。 It is as if they wear plain clothes while holding precious jade within。 In other words； they assume an unremarkable external appearance and hold spiritual treasures deep in the heart。
71
To know that you do not know is highest
To not know but think you know is flawed
Only when one recognizes the fault as a fault
Can one be without fault
The sages are without fault
Because they recognize the fault as a fault
That is why they are without fault
To know that you do not know … to recognize your own ignorance … is best； because it motivates you to continue seeking answers and keeps you from becoming presumptuous and arrogant。
The opposite of this is to be ignorant but assume that you possess knowledge。 This is a flaw that many of us have。 It even seems like the less you know； the more you think you know。
It is only when we see a problem clearly； and recognize that we need to do something about it； that we can begin taking steps to remove it and eventually be without it。
The sages are human too； and make mistakes just like everyone else。 What makes them different is that they look at themselves with the clarity of detachment； whereas most of us are blind to our own faults。
Because they are naturally humble； sages do not automatically assume they must be correct。 When they recognize that they have made a mistake or manifested a problem； they take active steps to address the issue。
People who know that they do not know and take steps to learn will eventually acquire the knowledge they need。 Similarly； sages who monitor themselves； recognize their own faults and take steps to correct themselves will ultimately be free of the faults。
Notes
The Chinese character bing occurs eight times in this chapter。 Many translators translate it as 〃disease〃 or 〃illness。〃 This is the dictionary definition as well as the common； modern usage； but in this case it doesn't quite fit。 Being sick comes close to the original meaning but doesn't really hit the mark。
When Lao Tzu uses bing； he is specifically referencing human errors and character flaws … being sick or defective in some aspect of one's thinking。 This context still exists in modern Chinese。 For instance； when we say mao bing； we are talking specifically about a fault or a problem。
Plug 〃disease〃 into the translation and interpretation above and the chapter will seem a bit strange。 Use 〃problem〃 or 〃fault〃 instead for bing and suddenly it will seem as if a veil has been lifted； and the meaning of the chapter becomes crystal clear。
This particular issue makes this chapter a good test of translation quality。 If your translation renders bing in the context of disease or illness； it may be a sign that the translator knows modern Chinese but not ancient Chinese。
72
When people no longer fear force
They bring about greater force
Do not limit their place
Do not reject their livelihood
Because the ruler does not reject them
Therefore they do not reject the ruler
Therefore the sages：
Know themselves but do not glorify themselves
Respect themselves but do not praise themselves
Thus they disc