Is the good fortune of the nation. He who has knowledge of these two also has them as examples. To always understand these examples – This is called deep and mysterious De. Deep and mysterious De is so profound! and remote! That when creatures return, it returns with them! Then they reach the greatest harmony. ♦The virtue of the ancients (they who acted in Dao), ♦Did not use it to enlighten the citizens, [wise,sightàinsight] ♦But would have used it to keep them ignorantA – [stupid,foolish] ♦The citizens [they] are hard to govern Because they have too much knowledgeB. Therefore : using knowledgeB to govern the nation Is the bane of the nation. [evil] Not using knowledgeB to govern the nation Is the good fortune of the nation. ♦He who has knowledge of these two also has [them as] examples2. To always understand these examples2 – This is called deep and mysterious De. ♦Deep and mysterious De is so profound ! and remote ! ♦That when creatures returnC, it returns [together]with them ! Then they reach the greatest harmony. [go along with,same direction,agreeable] Notes A : ignorance here is a good thing, as in #20 where the sage is foolish (using the same symbol) B : only WB and HSG have the Confucian term “wisdom” here, making these sentences anti-Confucian C : as in #25, where “being remote speaks of returning”; this sentence could also be translated as That it helps [all] creatures to return ! Cross-references the ancients/elders : #14, #15, #22, #38, #39, #62, #68 virtue of the ancients : #15 he who “possesses Dao” : #15, #23, #24, #31, #77 citizens are hard to govern : #75 mystery : #1, #6, #10, #15, #27, #51, #56, #62 deep and mysterious De : #10, #51 returning : #14, #16, #19, #20, #22, #25, #28, #34, #40, #52, #58, #60, #64, #80 De and returning : #28, #60 remote : #25 remote and returning : #25 Chapter Sixty Six 江 海 所 以 能 為 百 谷 王 者 以 其 善 下 之 • (•)故 能 為 百 谷 王 是 以 [聖 人] 欲 上 民 • 必 以 言 下 之 欲 先 民 • 必 以 身 後 之 是 以 聖 人 處 上 而 民 不 重 • 處 前 而 民 不 害 • 是 以 天 下 樂 推 而 不 厭 • 以 其 不 爭 • (•)故 天 下 莫 能 與 之 爭 The reason that rivers and seas can act as kings of the 100 valleys Is because they are good at being lower-than them. Therefore : they can act as kings of the 100 valleys. Thus the sage : In desiring to be above the citizens,