CHINESE ORIGINAL
将欲取天下而为之，吾见其不得已。
天下神器，不可为也，为者败之，执者失之。
故物或行或随，或歔或吹。
或强或羸，或挫或隳。
是以圣人去甚，去奢，去泰。
ENGLISH · JAMES LEGGE, 1891
If any one should wish to get the kingdom for himself, and to effect this by what he does, I see that he will not succeed. The kingdom is a spirit-like thing, and cannot be got by active doing. He who would so win it destroys it; he who would hold it in his grasp loses it.
The course and nature of things is such that What was in front is now behind; What warmed anon we freezing find. Strength is of weakness oft the spoil; The store in ruins mocks our toil.
Hence the sage puts away excessive effort, extravagance, and easy indulgence.
READ IN CONTEXT
Leadership
What happens when a leader makes room for others? Read about restraint, trust, and governing with a light hand.
Leadership