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Such detatchment is the highest state of man。
57
SIMPLIFICATION
With natural justice； people must be ruled；
and if war be waged； strategy and tactics used。
To master one's self；
one must act without cunning。
The greater the number of laws and restrictions；
the poorer the people who inhabit the land。
The sharper the weapons of battle and war；
the greater the troubles besetting the land。
The greater the cunning with which people are ruled；
the stranger the things which occur in the land。
The harder the rules and regulations；
the greater the number of those who will steal。
The sage therefore does not contrive；
in order to bring about reform；
but teaches the people peace of mind；
in order that they might enjoy their lives。
Having no desires； all he does is natural。
Since he teaches self…sufficiency；
the people who follow him return
to a good； uncomplicated life。
58
TRANSFORMATIONS ACCORDING TO CIRCUMSTANCES
When the hand of the ruler is light；
the people do not contrive；
but when the country is severely ruled；
the people grow in cunning。
The actions of the sage are sharp；
but they are never cutting；
they are pointed； though never piercing；
they are straightforward； not contrived；
and not without restraint；
brilliant but not blinding。
This is the action of the sage；
because he is aware
that where happiness exists；
there is also misery and strife；
that where honesty may be found；
there is occasion for dishonesty；
and that men may be beguiled。
The sage knows that no…one can foretell
just what the future holds。
59
GUARDING THE TAO
By acting with no thought of self…advancement；
but with self…restraint；
it is possible to lead；
and genuinely care for others。
This happens by acting virtuously；
and leaving nothing to be done。
A foundation virtuous and firm；
rooted in receptivity；
is a prerequisite of good leadership；
and for a life both long and strong。
He whose virtue knows no limit；
is most fitting to lead。
His roots are deep；
and his life protected
by his meditative practice；
as the bark protects the tree。
60
RULING
To rule a country；
one must act with care；
as when frying the smallest fish。
If actions are approached；
and carried out in the natural way；
the power of evil is reduced；
and so the ruler and the ruled
are equally protected。
They will not contrive to harm each other；
for the virtue of one refreshes the other。
61
HUMILITY
A great country remains receptive and still；
as does a rich and fertile land。
The gentle overcomes the strong
with stillness and receptivity。
By giving way to the other；
one country may conquer another；
a small country may submit to a large；
and conquer it； though having no arms。
Those who conquer must be willing to yield；
to yield may be to overcome。
A fertile nation may require a greater population；
to use its resources to the full；
whilst the country without such natural wealth
may require them to meet its people's needs。
By acting in unity； each may achieve
that which it requires。
62
SHARING THE TREASURE
The source of all things is in the Tao。
It is a treasure for the good；
and a refuge for all in need。
Whilst praise can buy titles；
good deeds gain respect。
No man should be abandoned
because he has not found the Tao。
On auspicious occasions； when gifts are sent；
rather than sending horses or jade；
send the teaching of Tao。
When we first discover the natural way；
we are happy to know that our misdeeds
are in the past； where they belong；
and so are happy to realize
that we have found a treasure。
63
BEGINNING AND COMPLETING
Act without contriving；
work naturally； and taste the tasteless；
magnify the small； increase the few；
and reward bitterness with care。
Seek the simple in the complex；
and achieve greatness in small things。
It is the way of nature
that even difficult things are done with ease；
and great acts made up of smaller deeds。
The sage achieves greatness by small deeds multiplied。
Promises easily made are most easily broken；
and acting with insufficient care
causes subsequent trouble。
The sage confronts problems as they arise；
so that they do not trouble him。
64
STAYING WITH THE MYSTERY
If problems are accepted；
and dealt with before they arise；
they might even be prevented before confusion begins；
In this way peace may be maintained。
The brittle is easily shattered；
and the small is easily scattered。
Great trees grow from the smallest shoots；
a terraced garden； from a pile of earth；
and a journey of a thousand miles
begins by taking the initial step。
He who contrives； defeats his purpose；
and he who is grasping； loses。
The sage does not contrive to win；
and therefore is not defeated；
he is not grasping； so does not lose。
It is easy to fail when nearing completion；
therefore； take care right to the end；
not only in the beginning。
The sage seeks freedom from desire；
not grasping at ideas。
He brings men back when they are lost；
and helps them find the Tao。
65
VIRTUOUS GOVERNMENT
Knowing it is against the Tao
to try to enforce learning；
the early sages did not contrive
to teach the way of the Tao。
There are two ways of government。
One is to be cunning； to act with guile；
and to contrive to cheat the people。
When this way is used to rule；
the people grow in cunning；
and contrive to cheat the ruler。
The second way to govern the land；
is to do so without contriving。
People so governed are truly blessed；
for they are governed with virtue；
and virtuous government is fair to all；
thus leading to unity。
66
LEADING FROM BEHIND
The sea is the ruler of river and stream；
because it rules from well beneath。
The teacher guides his students best；
by allowing them to lead。
When the ruler is a sage；
the people do not feel oppressed；
they support the one who rules them well；
and never tire of him。
He who is non…competitive
invites no competition。
67
THE THREE PRECIOUS ATTRIBUTES
Those who follow the natural way
are different from others in three respects。
They have great mercy and economy；
and the courage not to compete。
From mercy there comes courage；
from economy； generosity；
and from humility； willingness to lead from behind。
It is the way of sickness to shun the merciful；
and to acclaim only heroic deeds；
to abandon economy； and to be selfish。
They are sick；