Chapter LXVI
(Chapter 66)

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Ko Yuen Translation

Putting One's Self Last
1. The oceans and the rivers attract the streams by their skill in being lower than they; thus are they masters thereof.  So the Wise Man, to be above men, speaketh lowly; and to precede them acteth with humility.
2. Thus, though he be above them, they feel no burden; nor, though he precede them, do they feel insulted.
3. So then do all men delight to honour him, and grow not weary of him.  He contendeth not against any man; therefore no man is able to contend against him.

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S. Mitchell Translation
All streams flow to the sea
because it is lower than they are.
Humility gives it its power.

If you want to govern the people,
you must place yourself below them.
If you want to lead the people,
you must learn how to follow them.

The Master is above the people,
and no one feels oppressed.
She goes ahead of the people,
and no one feels manipulated.
The whole world is grateful to her.
Because she competes with no one,
no one can compete with her.

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James Legge Translation
1. That whereby the rivers and seas are able to receive the homage and tribute of all the valley streams, is their skill in being lower than they; it is thus that they are the kings of them all.  So it is that the sage (ruler), wishing to be above men, puts himself by his words below them, and, wishing to be before them, places his person behind them.
2. In this way though he has his place above them, men do not feel his weight, nor though he has his place before them, do they feel it an injury to them.
3. Therefore all in the world delight to exalt him and do not weary of him.  Because he does not strive, no one finds it possible to strive with him.

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GNL not Lao Interpolation

Lead by Following

The river carves out the valley by flowing beneath it.
Thereby the river is the master of the valley.

In order to master people
One must speak as their servant;
In order to lead people
One must follow them.

So when the sage rises above the people,
They do not feel oppressed;
And when the sage stands before the people,
They do not feel hindered.

So the popularity of the sage does not fail,
He does not contend, and no one contends against him.

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Ko Yuen Commentary
As it were, tribute and worship.

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