Chapter 67

Humility

All the world says that, while my Tao is great, it yet appears

to be inferior (to other systems of teaching). Now it is just its

greatness that makes it seem to be inferior. If it were like any

other (system), for long would its smallness have been known!

But I have three precious things which I prize and hold fast. The

first is gentleness; the second is economy; and the third is shrinking

from taking precedence of others.

With that gentleness I can be bold; with that economy I can be

liberal; shrinking from taking precedence of others, I can become a

vessel of the highest honour. Now-a-days they give up gentleness and

are all for being bold; economy, and are all for being liberal; the

hindmost place, and seek only to be foremost;--(of all which the end

is) death.

Gentleness is sure to be victorious even in battle, and firmly to

maintain its ground. Heaven will save its possessor, by his (very)

gentleness protecting him.

Commentary

Source: Paul Carus (1913) - Chapter heading

THE THREE TREASURES.

Philosophical Insight

Source: Paul Carus (1913) - Canon of Reason and Virtue

1. All in the world call me great; but I resemble the unlikely. Now a man is great only because he resembles the unlikely. Did he resemble the likely, how lasting, indeed, would his mediocrity be! 2. 1 have three treasures which I p. 122 cherish and prize. The first is called compassion. The second is called economy. The third is called not daring to come to the front in the world. 3. The compassionate can be brave; the economical can be generous; those who dare not come to the front in the worl...