62
Tao is source of the ten thousand things.
It is the treasure of the good man, and the refuge of the bad.
Sweet words can buy honor;
Good deeds can gain respect.
If a man is bad, do not abandon him.
Therefore on the day the emperor is crowned,
Or the three officers of state installed,
Do not send a gift of jade and a team of four horses,
But remain still and offer the Tao.
Why does everyone like the Tao so much at first?
Isn't it because you find what you seek and are forgiven when you sin?
Therefore this is the greatest treasure of the universe.
Everything in the world, all the diverse animals, places, people, things - everything - comes from the Tao. Because the Tao is perfect, all of these things are perfect. And all of these myriad of things, despite their stunning variety, can be the source of fulfillment, comfort, and peace. Although we can say and do things to make ourselves shine in the eyes of others, such attempts (and their effects) are short-lived and unnecessary. Even gifts sent to honor someone worthy of honor really are meaningless; the most meaningful way we can honor anyone is simply by holding to the Tao.The Tao is our refuge because it gives us everything we need both in times of plenty and in times of drought.
63
Practice non-action.
Work without doing.
Taste the tasteless.
Magnify the small, increase the few.
Reward bitterness with care.
See simplicity in the complicated.
Achieve greatness in little things.
In the universe the difficult things are done as if they are easy.
In the universe great acts are made up of small deeds.
The sage does not attempt anything very big,
And thus achieved greatness.
Easy promises make for little trust.
Taking things lightly results in great difficulty.
Because the sage always confronts difficulties,
He never experiences them.
Often when we want to achieve something, we think big! We imagine grandiose achievements, and then we create an elaborate plan requiring Herculean effort in a short amount of time. Though the universe is magnficent in what it is and what it does, it was created one small step at a time. One drop at a time, one grain of sand at a time. If we are to accomplish what our heart tells us is good for us, we should take the same approach. Rather then seeing the larger than life goal we might reach, what would I like to accomplish TODAY? What is one small step I can take today, now, that will put me on the right path? When we focus on small steps and simply doing them well rather than expecting them to take us to some imagined achievement, things become simple, and we get where we need to get. Each action, each day is fulfilling in itself. We are at peace. When a difficulty arises, we simply deal with it rather than complaining that the way is too hard, that the goal will never be accomplished. We don't fear setbacks; we know they are part of the path and we deal with them unemotionally. We simply do what is in front of us, letting emotions rise and fall without concern. This is the way to work without doing. This is the way the complicated becomes simple.
64
Peace is easily maintained;
Trouble is easily overcome before it starts.
The brittle is easily shattered;
The small is easily scattered.
Deal with it before it happens.
Set things in order before there is confusion.
A tree as great as a man's embrace springs up from a small shoot;
A terrace nine stories high begins with a pile of earth;
A journey of a thousand miles starts under one's feet.
He who acts defeats his own purpose;
He who grasps loses.
The sage does not act, and so is not defeated.
He does not grasp and therefore does not lose.
People usually fail when they are on the verge of success.
So give as much care to the end as to the beginning;
Then there will be no failure.
Therefore the sage seeks freedom from desire.
He does not collect precious things.
He learns not to hold on to ideas.
He brings men back to what they have lost.
He help the ten thousand things find their own nature,
But refrains from action.
An object in motion stays in motion. Similarly, when things are going well for us, it's a lot easier to keep things going well. Therefore, it's important to pay most attention to the beginnings of things. When we are first starting out, if we notice a problem we nip it in the bud so it won't grow into an unmanageable problem. This is wisdom. We seek to keep things in order from the beginning, making small adjustments as needed to maintain that order. As we continue on our journey, we hold to the path we feel guided to rather than striking out and doing something arising from our own ambition. This is how the sage does not grasp, does not act. At the end, we stick to the path, not allowing ourselves to get too eager to reach our goal. We let things unfold naturally, free from desire. Even if we attain what we seek, we don't hold on to what we have achieved. We are grateful that we were able to walk the correct path. When we are able to let go of our own ambitions, we help others recognize their true nature, not by acting, but by being.
65
In the beginning those who knew the Tao did not try to enlighten others,
But kept it hidden.
Why is it so hard to rule?
Because people are so clever.
Rulers who try to use cleverness
Cheat the country.
Those who rule without cleverness
Are a blessing to the land.
These are the two alternatives.
Understanding these is Primal Virtue.
Primal Virtue is deep and far.
It leads all things back
Toward the great oneness.
The concept of primal virtue lies at the heart of Taoism. It teaches that, in our most natural state, we are inherently unselfish. We treat all beings with goodness and respect, and we seek the best outcome for everyone. Wise leaders remain rooted in this primal virtue rather than allowing pride and ego to direct their efforts. Leaders driven by pride and ego rely on cleverness, often seeking personal gain or elevating themselves in the eyes of others.
When leaders allow primal virtue to guide their thoughts and actions, they remain connected to the great whole—the Tao—and carry out their work quietly and simply. Such leaders readily admit their own inadequacy and embrace not knowing. In this way, they inspire others to reconnect with their own primal nature and with the great whole.
66
Why is the sea king of a hundred streams?
Because it lies below them.
Therefore it is the king of a hundred streams.
If the sage would guide the people, he must serve with humility.
If he would lead them, he must follow behind.
In this way when the sage rules, the people will not feel oppressed;
When he stands before them, they will not be harmed.
The whole world will support him and will not tire of him.
Because he does not compete,
He does not meet competition.
Verse 66 continues the themes of Verse 65, teaching that a wise leader is like the sea. The sea is the king of all waters because every stream and river flows toward it. Its greatness lies in its willingness to remain below all other waters. Likewise, those who wish to lead wisely keep themselves below others through humility, openness, and a sincere desire to serve the good of all rather than to win at any cost. When leaders guide in this way, people feel respected rather than oppressed, and they follow willingly and gladly.
67
Everyone under heaven says that my Tao is great and beyond compare.
Because it is great, it seems different.
If it were not different, it would have vanished long ago.
I have three treasures which I hold and keep.
The first is mercy; the second is economy;
The third is daring not to be ahead of others.
From mercy comes courage; from economy comes generosity;
From humility comes leadership.
Nowadays men shun mercy, but try to be brave;
They abandon economy, but try to be generous;
They do not believe in humility, but always try to be first.
This is certain death.
Mercy brings victory in battle and strength in defense.
It is the means by which heaven saves and guards.
The beginning of verse 67 reminds us of the great paradox of the Tao: it seems great because it is different than what people expect it to be. It is quiet, invisible, not even acknowledged by most of the world. It's differentness is why it is great, Lao Tsu tells us. It is a great reminder to us as individuals, as well, that when we feel apart from others, we are often recognizing our own alignment with the Tao.
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Likewise, if a leader seeks to be brave, generous and triumphant, she should seek to be different or even the opposite of these qualities. A leader who seeks to be brave will instead be merciful. A leader who seems to be generous will actually cling to economy. A leader who wishes to be triumphant will instead hold fast to humility. Like all things, we cannot have one without the other. This is the great rule of yin yang.
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68
A good soldier is not violent.
A good fighter is not angry.
A good winner is not vengeful
A good employer is humble.
This is known as the Virtue of not striving.
This is known as ability to deal with people.
This since ancient times has been known as the ultimate unity with heaven.
69
Yield and overcome;
Bend and be straight;
Empty and be full;
Wear out and be new;
Have little and gain;
Have much and be confused.
Therefore the wise embrace the one
And set an example to all.
Not putting on a display,
They shine forth.
Not justifying themselves,
They are distinguished.
Not boasting,
They receive recognition.
Not bragging,
They never falter.
They do not quarrel,
So no one quarrels with them.
Therefore the ancients say, "Yield and overcome."
Is that an empty saying?
Be really whole,
And all things will come to you.
The beginning of verse 67 reminds us of the great paradox of the Tao: it seems great because it is different than what people expect it to be. It is quiet, invisible, not even acknowledged by most of the world. It's differentness is why it is great, Lao Tsu tells us. It is a great reminder to us as individuals, as well, that when we feel apart from others, we are often recognizing our own alignment with the Tao.
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Likewise, if a leader seeks to be brave, generous and triumphant, she should seek to be different or even the opposite of these qualities. A leader who seeks to be brave will instead be merciful. A leader who seems to be generous will actually cling to economy. A leader who wishes to be triumphant will instead hold fast to humility. Like all things, we cannot have one without the other. This is the great rule of yin yang.
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