67
ALL the world says that my Tao is great, but seems
queer, like
nothing on earth. But it is just because
my Tao is great that it is
like nothing on earth! If it were
like anything on earth, how small it
would have been
from the very beginning!
I have Three Treasures, which I hold fast and watch
over
closely. The first is Mercy. The second is Frugality.
The
third is Not Daring to Be First in the World. Because
I am
merciful, therefore I can be brave. Because I am
frugal, therefore I
can be generous. Because I dare not
be first, therefore I can be the
chief of all vessels.
If a man wants to be brave without first being
merciful,
generous without first being frugal, a leader
without first wishing to
follow, he is only courting
death!
Mercy alone can help you to win a war. Mercy alone
can help
you to defend your state. For Heaven will
come to the rescue of the
merciful, and protect him
with its Mercy.
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