Cary Chan

第六十一章大国者下流，天下之交，天下之牝，牝常以静胜牡，以静为下。故大国以下小国，则取小国；小国以下大国，则取大国。故或下以取，或下而取。大国不过欲兼畜人，小国不过欲入事人。夫两者各得其所欲，大者宜为下。Chapter 61When a country obtains great power,it becomes like the sea:all streams run downward into it.The more powerful it grows,the greater the need for humility.Humility means trusting the Tao,thus never needing to be defensive.A great nation is like a great man:When he makes a mistake, he realizes it.Having realized it, he admits it.Having admitted it, he corrects it.He considers those who point out his faults as his most benevolent teachers.He thinks of his enemyas the shadow that he himself casts.If a nation is centered in the Tao,if it nourishes its own peopleand doesn't meddle in the affairs of others,it will be a light to all nations in the world.