64

Things are easier to control while things are quiet. Things are easier to plan far in advance. Things break easier while they are still brittle. Things are easier hid while they are still small.

Prevent problems before they arise. Take action before things get out of hand. The tallest tree begins as a tiny sprout. The tallest building starts with one shovel of dirt. A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single footstep.

If you rush into action, you will fail. If you hold on too tight, you will lose your grip.

Therefore the Master lets things take their course and thus never fails. She doesn’t hold on to things and never loses them. By pursing your goals too relentlessly, you let them slip away. If you are as concerned about the outcome as you are about the beginning, then it is hard to do things wrong. The master seeks no possessions. She learns by unlearning, thus she is able to understand all things. This gives her the ability to help all of creation.

65

The ancient Masters who understood the way of the Tao, did not educate people, but made them forget.

Smart people are difficult to guide, because they think they are too clever. To use cleverness to rule a country, is to lead the country to ruin. To avoid cleverness in ruling a country, is to lead the country to prosperity.

Knowing the two alternatives is a pattern. Remaining aware of the pattern is a virtue. This dark and mysterious virtue is profound. It is opposite our natural inclination, but leads to harmony with the heavens.

66

Rivers and seas are rulers of the streams of hundreds of valleys because of the power of their low position.

If you want to be the ruler of people, you must speak to them like you are their servant. If you want to lead other people, you must put their interest ahead of your own.

The people will not feel burdened, if a wise person is in a position of power. The people will not feel like they are being manipulated, if a wise person is in front as their leader. The whole world will ask for her guidance, and will never get tired of her. Because she does not like to compete, no one can compete with the things she accomplishes.

67

The world talks about honoring the Tao, but you can’t tell it from their actions. Because it is thought of as great, the world makes light of it. It seems too easy for anyone to use.

There are three jewels that I cherish: compassion, moderation, and humility. With compassion, you will be able to be brave, With moderation, you will be able to give to others, With humility, you will be able to become a great leader. To abandon compassion while seeking to be brave, or abandoning moderation while being benevolent, or abandoning humility while seeking to lead will only lead to greater trouble. The compassionate warrior will be the winner, and if compassion is your defense you will be secure. Compassion is the protector of Heaven’s salvation.

68

The best warriors do not use violence. The best generals do not destroy indiscriminately. The best tacticians try to avoid confrontation. The best leaders become servants of their people.

This is called the virtue of non-competition. This is called the power to manage others. This is called attaining harmony with the heavens.

69

There is an old saying: “It is better to become the passive in order to see what will happen. It is better to retreat a foot than to advance only an inch.”

This is called being flexible while advancing, pushing back without using force, and destroying the enemy without engaging him.

There is no greater disaster than underestimating your enemy. Underestimating your enemy means loosing your greatest assets. When equal forces meet in battle, victory will go to the one that enters with the greatest sorrow.

70

My words are easy to understand and easier to put into practice. Yet no one in the world seems to understand them, or be able to apply what I teach.

My teachings come from the ancients, the things I do are done for a reason.

Because you do not know me, you are not able to understand my teachings. Because those who know me are few, my teachings become even more precious.

71

Knowing you don’t know is wholeness. Thinking you know is a disease. Only by recognizing that you have an illness can you move to seek a cure.

The Master is whole because she sees her illnesses and treats them, and thus is able to remain whole.

72

When people become overly bold, then disaster will soon arrive.

Do not meddle with people’s livelihoods; if you respect them, they will in turn respect you.

Therefore, the Master knows herself but is not arrogant. She loves herself but also loves others. This is how she is able to make appropriate choices.

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