Religion
Chapter 66
Translated by James Legge (1891) · From The Tao Teh King (1891)
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 thus that they are the kings of them all. So it is that the sage (ruler), wishing to be above men, puts himself by his words below them, and, wishing to be before them, places his person behind them.
In this way though he has his place above them, men do not feel his weight, nor though he has his place before them, do they feel it an injury to them.
Therefore all in the world delight to exalt him and do not weary of him. Because he does not strive, no one finds it possible to strive with him.
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Codex Note
Prose translation of a largely rhymed original, with occasional rhymed renderings by Legge; words in parentheses are his supplied additions.
Cite this poem
MLA
Laozi (Lao Tzu). “Chapter 66.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/laozi/65/.
Chicago
Laozi (Lao Tzu). “Chapter 66.” Translated by James Legge. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/laozi/65/.
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