B : this line and the next can be translated many ways because of the numerous meanings of their last symbols (see the Introduction) – the translation given here is the most “neutral”, saying only that they depend on each other C : literally “their extremes”, presumably in the sense of “to what extremes they will go” or “how far will they go”; compare to #59 D : this symbol also has the sense of “morally upright”, “principled”, and “ethical” E : compare to #28 where the “greatest cutting does not divide” (also in relation to the sage) F : every source has a different symbol, but three of them mean “to shine, dazzle, be glorious” thus making a majority in meaning; compare to how the sage does not “display” in #22, #47, #72, #77 Cross-references observant and alert : #20 returning : #14, #16, #19, #20, #22, #25, #28, #34, #40, #52, #60, #64, #65, #80 honest and just, strange and unusual : #57 no harm : #35, #56, #60, #66, #81 Chapter Fifty Nine 治 人 事 天 莫 若 嗇 (•)夫 唯 嗇 是 謂 早 服 早 服 謂 之 重 積 德 重 積 德 則 無 不 克 • 無 不 克 則 莫 知 其 極 莫 知 其 極 可 以 有 國 有 國 之 母 可 以 長 久 是 謂 深 根 固 柢 長 生 久 視 之 道 • • When governing people or doing heaven’s duties, It is better to be sparing. Now : only when you can be sparing, This is called early acceptance. Early acceptance is called doubling your accumulation of De. With a double accumulation of De, Then everything can be overcome. When everything can be overcome, Then no one knows your limits. When no one knows your limits, You can possess the nation. Possessing the mother of the nation, You can forever endure. This is called having a deep source and a firm foundation, The Way of long life and enduring sight. ♦When governing people or doing heaven’s duties, ♦It is better2 to be sparing. [stingy,thrifty] Now : only when you can be sparing, [stingy,thrifty] This is called early acceptanceA. [be convinced,serve] Early acceptance is called doubling your accumulation of De. [be convinced,serve] [his] With a double accumulation of De, Then everything2 can be overcome. When everything2 can be overcome, Then no one knows your limitsB. [his] [utmost,extreme] ♦When no one knows your limitsB, [his] [utmost,extreme] ♦You can2 possess the nation. ♦Possessing the mother of the nation, ♦You can2 forever endure. [for a long time] This is called having a deep source and a firm foundation, ♦The Way of long life and enduring sight. [for a long time] Notes