READING PATHS
Leading with less force
Follow the ruler, the sage, the sea, and the small community. Consider how authority changes when it makes room.
The quiet leader
太上，下知有之，其次，亲而誉之，其次，畏之，其次，侮之。
In the highest antiquity, (the people) did not know that there were (their rulers). In the next age they loved them and praised them. In the next they…
Read chapterActing without forcing
道常无为而无不为。
The Tao in its regular course does nothing (for the sake of doing it), and so there is nothing which it does not do. If princes and kings were able to…
Read chapterGoverning with stillness
以正治国，以奇用兵，以无事取天下。
A state may be ruled by (measures of) correction; weapons of war may be used with crafty dexterity; (but) the kingdom is made one's own (only) by freedom…
Read chapterGoverning a great state
治大国，若烹小鲜。
Governing a great state is like cooking small fish. Let the kingdom be governed according to the Tao, and the manes of the departed will not manifest…
Read chapterThe rivers and the sea
江海所以能为百谷王者，以其善下之，故能为百谷王。
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…
Read chapterA small community
小国寡民，使有什伯之器而不用，使民重死而不远徙。
In a little state with a small population, I would so order it, that, though there were individuals with the abilities of ten or a hundred men, there…
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