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ore； sages would be very reluctant to make overly optimistic projections in regards to a task at hand。 Someone who thinks everything is easy is naive and inexperienced。 Therefore sages regard all tasks as either challenging or potentially challenging。 Their attitude in approach a task is always cautious and conservative。 Whereas many people promise too much and deliver too little； sages promise little but deliver beyond expectations。
64
When it is peaceful； it is easy to maintain
When it shows no signs； it is easy to plan
When it is fragile； it is easy to break
When it is small； it is easy to scatter
Act on it when it has not yet begun
Treat it when it is not yet chaotic
A tree thick enough to embrace
Grows from the tiny sapling
A tower of nine levels
Starts from the dirt heap
A journey of a thousand miles
Begins beneath the feet
The one who meddles will fail
The one who grasps will lose
Therefore； sages do not meddle and thus do not fail
They do not grasp and thus do not lose
People； in handling affairs
Often come close to completion and fail
If they are as careful in the end as the beginning
Then they would have no failure
Therefore； sages desire not to desire
They do not value goods that are hard to acquire
They learn to unlearn
To redeem the fault of the people
To assist the nature of all things
Without daring to meddle
It is relatively easy to maintain the situation when everything is peaceful and quiet。 When the possibility for chaos is small or nearly non…existent； it is a simple task to keep it in check。
Generally speaking； it is always easier to act on something effectively when it is small。 Take care of an issue as early as possible； before it really becomes an issue。 Nip a potential problem in the bud so it doesn't get the chance to grow into something serious。
This same principle extends to many aspects of life。 The mightiest trees started as a small and delicate shoot； barely noticeable in the ground。 The tallest building we have had to be built from the ground up。 There was a time when it was nothing more than a pile of dirt brought to the site in preparation for construction to begin。
The greatest； most epic journey one can undertake still must begin where you stand。 Similarly； great deeds can have a small； indeed humble； beginning。 A vast accumulation of knowledge starts somewhere； with the turning of one page in a particular book。 When we keep this great wisdom in mind； it becomes easier for us to overcome inertia and take that first step。
Notes
The ancient Chinese measurement of distance； li； is loosely translated as 〃mile。〃 One li is about half a kilometer； and roughly a third of a mile。
Many people know the expression； 〃A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step。〃 However； most of them probably have no idea that it originally came from this chapter of the Tao Te Ching。 Some are aware that it's Chinese in origin； but mistaken it attribute it to Confucius。 So now you know something they do not。
Another interesting thing to note is that the popular expression is in fact a mistranslation。 The original contains no character for 〃one〃 or 〃step。〃 Nor does it imply the taking of that first step。 What it says is that the little piece of ground beneath your feet is the starting point of even the longest journeys。 That's all it says。 The taking of that first step is certainly a legitimate interpretation and amplification of this passage； but it definitely does not qualify as a translation。
65
Those of ancient times who were adept at the Tao
Used it not to make people brighter
But to keep them simple
The difficulty in governing people
Is due their excessive cleverness
Therefore； using cleverness to govern the state
Is being a thief of the state
Not using cleverness to govern the state
Is being a blessing of the state
Know that these two are both standards
Always knowing these standards
Is called Mystic Virtue
Mystic Virtue is so profound； so far…reaching
It goes opposite to material things
Then it reaches great congruence
The sage kings of ancient China were masterful in applying the Tao。 They did not use it to make people more clever and more knowledgeable。 Instead； they used it to guide people toward simplicity。
These sages understood very well that cleverness and knowledge would bring with them greater desires； deceit； and devious tricks。 This would lead to complexities and chaos； thus making things difficult not only for them； but also for the people。
They came to the conclusion long ago that using guile； manipulation； and contrivance to govern would do great harm to the country … really not so different than stealing from it like a thief。 On the other hand； not using these tricks and guiding the people toward simplicity would lead to benefits for all； and would therefore be a great blessing to the country as a whole。
Both of these approaches … shrewd cunning versus straightforward plainness … are standards； and it is important to know both。 The ancient masters made it a point to understand Machiavellian methods thoroughly； while embracing upright； honest simplicity in actual practice。 This mindset of never losing sight of both is known as Mystic Virtue。
The power of Mystic Virtue is beyond measure。 It is both profound in its implications and far…reaching in its effects。 It runs counter to the tendency to pursue material things； and opposite the typical person's desire for short…term gains。 We see it as achieving a state of great congruence； because Mystic Virtue follows nature and is therefore perfectly congruent with the Tao。
Notes
Your life is a sovereign state in its own right； and you are the ruler of this state。 If； like many people； you run your life with a measure of clever duplicity and contrived craftiness； you will also make everything more complex and difficult to manage。 A complicated life filled with tension and stress is one where the joy has been taken away … by yourself。 You would then be the thief who robs your own life of happiness。
Lao Tzu advises you to cultivate Mystic Virtue instead。 That is； be fully aware of all the deceptive tricks and meddlesome cunning that can manifest in your life； but at the same time hold on to P'u； the ultimate principle of simplicity and plainness。 This will be a great blessing in your life； and as you continue living this way … in total congruence with the Tao … you will feel profound and far…reaching effects of Mystic Virtue in every aspect of living； resulting in a life filled with joy and peace of mind。
66
Rivers and oceans can be the kings of a hundred valleys
Because of their goodness in staying low
So they can be the kings of a hundred valleys
Thus if sages wish to be over people
They must speak humbly to them
If they wish to be in front of people
They must place themselves behind them
Thus the sages are positioned above
But the people do not feel burdened
They are positioned in front
But the peopl