the virtue of non-contention

A day for a few verses from the Tao Te Ching - a classical collection of wise sayings from the fourth century B.C., which is attributed to a contemporary of Confucius called, Lao Tzu.

I've blipped from this volume several times before - the pictured copy is a 1987 reprint of the original 1963 translation by D.C.Lau ... I bought it in London in July 1988, and have read and re-read it literally hundreds of times.

Thought these lines most appropriate for today:


Tao Te Ching

LXVII

The whole world says that my way is vast and resembles nothing.  It is because it is vast that it resembles nothing.  If it resembled anything, it would, long before now, have become small.

I have three treasures
Which I hold and cherish.

The first is known as compassion,
The second is known as frugality,
The third is known as not daring to take the lead in the empire;

Being compassionate one could afford to be courageous,
Being frugal one could afford to extend one’s territory,
Not daring to take the lead in the empire one could afford to be lord over the vessels.

Now, to forsake compassion for courage, to forsake frugality for expansion, to forsake the rear for the lead, is sure to end in death.

Through compassion, one will triumph in attack and be impregnable in defense.  What heaven succours it protects with the gift of compassion.

LXVIII

One who excels as a warrior does not appear formidable;
One who excels in fighting is never roused in anger;
One who excels in defeating his enemy does not join issue;
One who excels in employing others humbles himself before them.

This is known as the virtue of non-contention;
This is known as making use of the efforts of others;
This is known as matching the sublimity of heaven.

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