Tao Te Ching Chapter 66 Humility

Mondo Culture Updated on 2024-02-01

The reason why Jiang Hai can be the king of a hundred valleys is because of his goodness, so he can be the king of a hundred valleys. It is a saint who desires to go up to the people, and he must say it; If you want to be the ancestors, you must follow them. It is to deal with the saints and the people are not important, and the people are not harmed by the front. It is not tired of being pushed by the joy of the world. With its indisputability, the world can not compete with it.

Translation: The reason why a river is the king of all rivers is that it is good at keeping it low, so it can gather many rivers. Therefore, if a righteous saint wants to lead the people, he must treat them with humble words; To lead the people, we must put our own interests before the people. Therefore, although the saint of the Tao is above the people, the people do not feel a burden; Although they are ahead of the people, they do not feel victimized. Therefore, the people of the world are glad to elect him without getting tired of it. Because he does not contend with others, no one under heaven can contend with him.

Insight: This passage conveys a profound philosophical message about gaining leadership and influence through humility and selflessness. The reason why Jianghai is the king of all rivers is that it can accommodate and integrate other rivers, and this humble attitude makes it a meeting place for many rivers. In the same way, the Righteous Sage has earned the respect and trust of the people through his humble words and deeds, as well as by putting the interests of the people before his own. Although they are in a leadership position, they do not place a heavy burden on the people and do not pose a threat to the people. Therefore, the people are willing to admire and follow them, and this style of leadership makes it impossible for anyone to compete with them.

This passage emphasizes the qualities that a leader should possess, namely humility, tolerance, and selflessness, which can not only win the support of the people, but also achieve long-term harmony and development. In real life, whether in politics, business, or social interactions, these principles are valuable guidance for building successful leadership and maintaining good relationships. Recommended classics of Chinese culture

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