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ill make offerings to him without interruption （that is to say； they will succeed him and enjoy the fruit of his works）。
First of all one should conform oneself to the Principle； afterwards； this conformity will spread spontaneously； by itself； to one's family； district； principality； And to the empire； （like radiant heat coming from a central hearth）。
Through one's own nature； one understands those of other individuals； And of all individual collectivities such as families； districts； principalities； And the empire。
How can one know the nature of an entire empire？ 。。。 By this （through one's own nature）。
55
He who holds himself in perfect Virtue （without lust or anger） is like the new…born child whom the scorpion does not bite； the tiger does not devour； the vulture does not seize； whom all respect。 A child's bones are weak； its tendons are feeble； but it grasps objects strongly （just as its soul and body are held together by force）。
He has not yet any notion of the act of generation； And； in consequence； keeps his seminal virtue intact。
He cries softly all day long without becoming hoarse； so perfect is his peace。 Peace makes for durability； he who understands this is enlightened。
Whereas any violent excitement； above all lust and anger； wears one out。
From this it follows that virility （which man abuses） is succeeded by decrepitude。 Intense life is contrary to the Principle； And in consequence prematurely mortal。
56
He who knows （the Principle）； does not speak。
He keeps his mouth closed； controls his breathing； blunts his activity； rescues himself from any complication； tempers his light； And mingles with people。 This is mysterious union （with the Principle）。
No one can attach himself （by doing favours） to such a man； nor repulse him （by treating him badly）。 He is indifferent to gain or loss； exaltation or humiliation。 Being thus； he is the most noble in the world。
57
One can govern with rectitude； one can wage war with competence； but it takes non…action to win and hold the empire。 How do I know that this is so？ From what I am going to say：
The more rules there are； the less people enrich themselves。 The more taxes there are； the less order there is。
The more ingenious inventions there are； the fewer serious and useful objects there are。 The more detailed the penal code； the more thieves abound。 Multiplication ruins everything。
Therefore the programme of the Sage is quite the contrary。 Not acting； And the people amend themselves。 Staying peaceful； And the people rectify themselves。
Doing nothing； And the people enrich themselves。 Wishing for nothing； And the people come back to natural spontaneity。
58
When the government is simple； the people abound in virtue。 When the government is political； the people lack virtue。
Good and bad succeed one anther； alternately。
Who will discern the heights？ （of this circular movement； of good and evil。 It is very delicate； an excess or a default changing the moral entity）。 In many the right measure is lacking。 In some an exaggerated righteousness degenerates into a mania。 In others an exaggerated goodness becomes extravagance。 （Points of view changing in consequence。 For a long time now； men have thus been crazy。
The Sage takes them as they are）。 Taking them to task； he is not sharp or cutting。 Straight； he is not rude。 Enlightened； he does not humiliate。
59
The essential for co…operation with heaven in the government of men； is to moderate one's action。
This moderation should be the prime care。 It procures perfect efficacy； which succeeds in everything； even the governing of the empire。
He who possesses this mother of the empire （wise moderation）； will last a long time。
It is called the pivoting root； the solid trunk。 It is the principle of perpetuity。
60
To govern a great state； one should act like someone cooking a very small fish （very delicately； otherwise they break up）。
When a state is governed according to the Principle； phantoms do not appear there to harm the people； because the Sage who governs does not harm the people。
Not that the spirits have no more powers； But their powers will not harm men。/ Neither will they harm men； Nor will the Sage harm the people。
The merit of this double tranquility （on the part of the living and the dead） comes back； therefore； to the Sage。
61
If a great state lowers itself； like those holes in which water accumulates； everyone will come to it。 It will belike the universal female。 In her apparent passivity and inferiority； the female is superior to the male （for it is she who gives birth）。
On condition of knowing how to lower itself； a great state will win over lesser states；
which in their turn； will lower themselves； seeking its protection。
For this to be realized； only one thing is needed； but it is essential。 It is that the great state deigns to lower itself before the lesser ones。 （if it is proud and hard； there is no hope）。
62
The Principle is the palladium of all beings。 It is the treasure of the good （that by which they are good）； and the salvation of the wicked （that which prevents them from perishing）。
It is to it that one should be grateful from affectionate words； and the noble conduct of good people。 It is with regard to it； that the wicked should not be rejected。
It is for that reason （for the conservation and development of the part of the Principle which is in all beings） that the emperor and the great ministers were instituted。 Not so that they should become complacent with their sceptre and their ancient four…horsed chariot； but in order that they should meditate on the Principle （advancing themselves in their knowledge； and in the development of others）。
Why did the ancients make so much of the Principle？ is it not because it is the source of all good and the remedy for all evil？ It is the most noble thing in the world。
63
To act without acting； to be busy without being busy； to taste without tasting；
to look equally on the great； the small； the many and the few； to be indifferent to thanks and reproaches； this is how the Sage acts。
He only sets about difficult complications through their easiest details； and only applies himself to great problems in their weak beginnings。
The Sage never undertakes anything great； and that is why he makes great things。
He who promises much； cannot keep his word； he who embarrasses himself with too many things； even easy things； never succeeds in anything。
The Sage keeps clear of difficulty； therefore he never has any difficulties。
64
Peaceful situations are easily controlled； problems are easily forestalled before they arise； weak things are easily broken； small things are easily dispersed。
One should take one's measures before something happens； and protect order before disorder bursts out。
A tree which one's arms can barely embrace comes from a shoot as fine as a hair； a nine…storey tower begins with a pile of earth； a long journey begins with a single step。
Those who make too muc