Chapter67— The Three Precious Things
Chapter Sixty-Seven of the Tao Te Ching articulates the ruler's cultivation of three cardinal virtues: gentleness, frugality, and humility. Situated within the broader discourse on statecraft and personal conduct, this passage argues that true authority arises not from domination but from the restraint of desire and the avoidance of arrogance. By advocating for a leadership style that mirrors the natural order, the text offers a counter-narrative to aggressive expansionism, suggesting that the most effective governance is one that preserves the integrity of the people and the land.
About this translation
The most influential English translation ever made. Sometimes archaic, but the standard PD English text.
Translators commissioned by King James I of England, 1604–1611
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