Verse 61

A great country is like the low lands
where all the streams unite.

In all things under heaven
the female overcomes the male by her stillness,
and because she is still she lies below.

Hence, if the great country will take the low place
it will win over the little country.
If the little country will take the low place
it will win over the great country.
Thus, the one gets below and prospers
and the other remains below and prospers.

All that the great country wants is more people.
All that the little country wants is a place
for its people to go and to be employed.

If each is to get what it wants
it is necessary for the great country
to take the low place.

Verse 62

The Tao is to the ten thousand things
what the shrine is in the home.
It is the treasure of the virtuous
and the protection of the wrongdoer.

Good words are appreciated.
Good deeds are accepted as gifts.

Even the wrongdoers are not abandoned.
Hence, on the day an Emperor is installed
and appoints the three ducal ministers.
remain where you are and make an offering of the Tao.

It will be preferable to a gift of jade discs
followed by a team of four horses.
Why did the ancients value the Tao?

Was it not because through it
you can find what you seek,
and because of it
you can escape what is hounding you?

Therefore, it is the most valuable thing under heaven.

Verse 63

Act without striving.
Work without interfering.
Find the flavour in what is flavourless.

Enlarge the small, increase the few.
Heal injury with goodness.

Handle the difficult while it is still easy.
Cultivate the great while it is still small.

All difficult things begin as easy things.
All great things begin as small things.

Therefore, the True Person never attempts anything great,
and accomplishes great things.

Lightly made promises inspire little faith.
Trying to make things easy results in great difficulties.

Therefore, the True Person regards everything as difficult,
and is never overcome by difficulties.