The Courage Of The Commonplace

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. 67. Unimportance All the world says, "I am important; I am separate from all the world. I am important because I am separate, Were I the same, I could never be important." Yet here are three treasures That I cherish and commend to you: The first is compassion, By which one finds courage. The second is restraint, By which one finds strength. And the third is unimportance, By which one finds influence. Those who are fearless, but without compassion, Powerful, but without restraint, Or influential, yet important, Cannot endure. 68 ...»