He must by means of his speech be lower-than them. In desiring to be before the citizens, He must by means of his self be behind them. Thus the sage : Lives above them, but the citizens are not burdened. Lives in front of them, but the citizens are not harmed. Thus the world is pleased to promote him, and does not tire of him. Because he does not strive, Therefore no one in the world can strive against him. The reason that2 rivers and seas [they] can act as kings of the 100 valleys Is because they are good at being lower-thanA them. Therefore : they can act as kings of the 100 valleys. Thus2 the sage2 : In desiring to be aboveB the citizens, He must by means of his speech be lower-than them. In desiring to be beforeC the citizens, He must by means of his self be behind them. Thus2 the sage2 : Lives above them, but the citizens are not burdened. [heavy] Lives in front of them, but the citizens are not harmed. Thus2 the world2 is pleased to promote him, and does not tire of{despise} him. Because he does not strive, ♦Therefore no one in the world2 can strive against him. [together with] Notes A : literally “below”, “under”, or “inferior”, here “lower-than” is used to indicate taking the lower or inferior position in a relationship (which in ancient Chinese culture was the better thing to do); Lau translates it as “taking the lower position” B : presumably, to rule over C : presumably, to lead Cross-references valley : #6, #15, #28, #32, #39, #41 lower-than : #61, #68 before/behind others : #7, #67 self : #7, #9, #13, #16, #26, #44, #52, #54 no harm : #35, #56, #58, #60, #81 not tire of leadership : #72 no striving : #3, #8, #22, #68, #73, #81 no one in the world can strive against him : #22 Chapter Sixty Seven 天 下 皆 謂 我 __ 大 似 不 肖 (•)夫 唯 (不 肖) 故 [能] (大) • 若 肖 • 久 矣 其 細 也(•) (•)夫 我 有 三 寶 持 而 保 之 • 一 曰 慈 • 二 曰 儉 三 曰 不 敢 為 天 下 先 慈 故 能 勇 儉 故 能 廣 不 敢 為 天 下 先 (•)故 能 成 器 長 • 今 舍 慈 且 勇 • 舍 儉 且 廣 舍 後 且 先 死 矣(•) (•)夫 慈 以 戰 則 勝 以 守 則 固 天 將 救 之 以 慈 衛 之 In the world, all say I am great, But do not seem to be like everyone else. Now : only because I am not like everyone else, therefore I can be great. If I was like everyone else, Long ago! I would have become insignificant, indeed! Now : I possess three treasures – Hold and maintain them. The first is called compassion, The second is called economy,