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 true nature.
66.
All streams flow to the sea. Because it is lower than they are. Humility gives it its power. If you want to govern your people you must place yourself below them. If you want to lead people you must learn how to follow them. The Master is above the people and no one feels oppressed. She goes ahead of the people and no one feels manipulated. The whole world is grateful to her. Because she competes with no one. No one can compete with her.
67.
Some say my teaching is nonsense. Other call it lofty and impractical. But to those who have looked inside themselves this nonsense makes perfect sense. And to those who put it into practice this loftiness has roots that grow deep. I have just three things to teach. Simplicity, patience and compassion. These three are your greatest treasures. Simple in actions and in thoughts, you return to the source of being. Patient with both friends and enemies yet accord with the way things are. Compassionate toward yourself and you reconcile all beings in the world.
68.
The best athlete wants his opponent at his best. The best general enters the mind of his enemy. The best businessman serves the communal good. The best leader follows the will of the people. All of them involve the virtue of non-competition. Not that they don't love to compete but they do it in the spirit of play. In this they are like children and in harmony with the Tao.
69.
The generals have a saying, rather than make the first move it is better to wait and see rather than advance an inch- it is better to retreat a yard. This is called going forward without advancing. Pushing back without using weapons. There is no greater misfortune than under estimating the enemy. Under estimating your enemy is thinking that he is evil. Thus you destroy your three treasures and become an enemy yourself. When two great forces oppose each other, the victory will go to the one that knows how to yield.
70.
My teachings are easy to understand and easy to put into practice. Yet your intellect will never grasp them and if you try to practice them you will fail. My teachings are older than the world. How can you grasp their meaning? If you want to know me look inside your heart.
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