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It uses disaster to create its own good fortune
Uses good fortune to conceal the disasters it creates
Who knows where this can lead？
When nothing is constant anymore
The natural is transformed into the deviant
The good is twisted into the evil
And the confusion will last for generations
Bring order； but don't mold people to fit
Be conscientious； but not stifling
Be direct； but not aggressive
Be bright； but only bright enough that others can see their own way
59
If you would lead men and follow the way
It's good to be sparing in your actions
For only by being sparing can you submit early to the way
And this is how to accumulate virtue
When you accumulate virtue in this way
There is no obstacle you can't overcome
Without obstacles； no one can predict your downfall
Thus you can possess the state
Being one with the way of the state like this
Creates deep roots and a firm base
And leads to long life and lasting work
60
Ruling a large state is like cooking a small fish
When you govern using the way power doesn't corrupt
It's not that power has no power over you
It's just that it's only used to give honor and respect to everyone
Where honor and respect are given； no one need do violence to get them
And each is allowed to master himself
61
A great state is like the lowest part of a river
All things flow down to it； given time
It has the resources to let myriad things grow in its borders
And so it is better cast in the feminine principle
If it rests quietly； then weaker states will come to it
And both will be enriched
If it reaches out to conquer； then weaker states will resist
And both will be impoverished
The great state desires diversity and prosperity
The weak state desires to be great
If both would get what they want
The great state must let itself be lower
62
The tao is that towards which all things flow
It honors the good man and the bad man alike
Praise can be bought or sold； privilege can be given as a gift
Even the bad can acquire them this way；？will they be refused？
So if you would offer a gift to a new leader
Though you might shower him with wealth； or jewels； or adulation
You'd do better to sit quietly and let him have the tao
There is a reason the ancients valued this above all else
'Whether you would attain something or be absolved
You will succeed only by following the tao'
It can not be given； only found
Therefore its value is immeasurable
63
Do without doing； without expectations
Taste what has no flavor
＇In Progress＇
64
What is quiet is easy to contain
What has not yet committed itself is easy to divert
The soft is easily melted； the small easily dispersed
The moral： Don't wait till problems mature before you act on them
The greatest chaos was once orderly
The tallest tree was once a hidden seed
The tallest tower a pile of dirt
The longest journey； but one step； then another
Those who act； ruin； those who cling； lose
Things always seem to fall apart just at completion
Because you think they're done； and act carelessly
So the taoist never acts； never clings； never tries to complete
He is as aware at the end as at the beginning
Though she could bring all things into perfect harmony
She doesn't； because she knows what's enough
65
The ancient leaders who followed the way
Were not trying to enlighten the people
But instead to give them no cause to have knowledge
If you use knowledge to rule you will be accused of thievery
Of protecting one against the interests of another
And everyone will want to know the laws to protect themselves
Avoid this； and your actions will be closer to the way
If you keep this always in mind and practice it
You will lead a virtuous state
The effects of this are subtle and far reaching
And will always bring the people back
66
A river makes a valley lush and fertile because it's content to settleto the lowest place
All things can draw what they need from it； without drowning in it
To be a leader； then； you must sink and be still
And let the people gather around you
You must follow the contours of people's hearts
And spill into their lives as little as possible
When you are quiet； the people will not see you as a weight on theirshoulders
When you keep to your banks； the people will not be threatened by you
There will be no reason to build dykes or damns to limit your power
And the people will delight in your presence
67
The whole world hears these words and says they are beautiful； but oversimplified
But it's precisely because they're simple that they can be great
If they tried to be detailed and precise； what use would they be？
There are only three compasses to steer by；？treasure them
Compassion； frugality； and genuineness
Compassion leads to courage
But courage without compassion is pure violence
Frugality leads to affluence
But affluence without frugality is pure extravagance
Genuineness brings honor and respect
But honor and respect gained hypocritically is pure disaster
Attack with these qualities and you'll never lose
Defend with them； and you'll never fall
Whoever wraps himself in the tao
Finds in it a shield and a sanctuary that will never fail
68
Therefore a good leader； like a good soldier
Sees no need to flaunt her might
Never lets his passions sway him out of balance
Allows her opponents to overextend themselves
And in all things places himself below others
If you don't compete； then you're dealing with men correctly
And the tao； in all its antiquity； is on your side
69
Consider the phrases 'discretion is the better part of valor'
And 'fall back a foot rather than struggle for an inch'
Moving forward sometimes means stepping backwards
Strength sometimes means letting yourself be weak
Hold to your center or any weapon is useless
Be open to all； and let opponents come to you
It's arrogance that leads you to think no one can defeat you
And arrogance can only lead to tragedy for one or the other
If you have to fight； you'll do better to forget about the victory
And strive； instead； to contain everyone's loses
70
These words are easy to remember and easy to practice
Yet few remember them when they are needed； and fewer practice them
This is because these words are rooted in principles that go beyondwords
Saying them is not enough
For those few who practice them； though； they are of great value
They may look plain； but they lead to the wealth of the heart
71
People are odd
They think they know what they don't
They think they don't know what they do
Excellence does not come； however； from knowing e