60.
Governing a large country is like frying a small fish. You spoil it by too much poking. Center your country in the Tao and evil will have not power. Not that is isn't there but that you might step out of its way. Give evil
nothing to oppose and it will disappear by itself.
61.
When a country obtains great power it becomes like the sea. All streams run downward into it. The more powerful it grows the greater need for
humility. Humility is trusting the Tao. Thus never needing to be defensive. A great nation is like a great man. When he makes a mistake he realizes it. Having realizing it, he admits it. Having admitted it, he corrects it.
62.
The Tao is the center of the universe, the good man's treasure. The bad man's refuge. Honors can be bought with fine words. Respect can be won with good deeds. The Tao is beyond all value and no one can achieve it. Thus when a new leader is chosen, don't offer to help him with your wealth and expertise. Offer instead to teach him about the Tao. Why did the ancient Masters esteem the Tao, because being one with the Tao, you seek and you find. And when you make a mistake you are forgiven. That is why everybody loves it.
63.
Act without doing, work without effort. Think of the small as large. Think of the few as many. Confront the difficult while it is still easy. Accomplish the great task by a series of small acts. The Master never reaches for the Great, thus she achieves greatness. When she runs into a difficult situation she stops and gives herself to it. She doesn't cling to their own comfort thus problems are not problem to her.
64.
What is rooted is easy to nourish. What is recent is easy to correct. What is brittle is easy to break. What is small is easy to scatter. Prevent trouble before it arrives. Put things in order before they exist. The giant pine tree grows from a tiny sprout. The journey of a thousand miles starts from beneath your feet. Rushing into action you fail. Trying to grasp things you lose them. Forcing a project to completion, you ruin what is almost ripe. Therefore the Master takes action by letting things take their course. He remains as calm at the end as in the beginning. He has nothing thus he has nothing to lose. What desires is non desire? What he learns is to unlearn. He simply reminds people of who they have always been. He cares about nothing but the Tao. Thus he can care for all things.
65.
The ancient Masters didn't try to educate the people but kindly taught them to not know. When they thing they know the answers they are difficult to guide. When they know they don't know, people can find their way. If you want to learn how to govern avoid being clever or rich. The simplest pattern is the clearest. Content with the ordinary life you can show all people the way back to their won truenature.
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