第六十四章

其安易持，其未兆易谋；其脆易泮，其微易散。为之于未有，治之于未乱。合抱之木，生于毫末；九层之台，起于累土；千里之行，始于足下。为者败之，执者失之。是以圣人无为故无败，无执故无失。民之从事，常于几成而败之。慎终如始，则无败事。是以圣人欲不欲，不贵难得之货，学不学，复众人之所过，以辅万物之自然而不敢为。

Chapter 64

Situation can be readily maintained when steady, schemes would be easily conspired when free of signals. Things can be parted quickly if too crisp, and can be easily lost if too small. Be preemptive in problem solving and state governance. Giant trees grow from tender seedlings, a nine-level terrace is accumulated from clay. A thousand miles journey starts from the first step. Those who do can't get it done, those who persist will lose. Hence, sages will never be defeated as they attempt for nothing, and will never lose as they never persist. The defeat often happens when success is almost in sight. So in order to avoid defeat, caution should be maintained just like at the beginning. Hence sages pursue things that others don't, care less about valuable things, study things that others don't, and review mistakes others have made, so as to follow nature without interference. 

第六十五章

古之善为道者，非以明民，将以愚之。民之难治，以其智多。故以智治国，国之贼；不以智治国，国之福。知此两者，亦稽式。常知稽式，是谓玄德。玄德深矣，远矣，与物反矣。然后乃至大顺。

Chapter 65

Historically, a Taoist ruler usually discourages citizens from learning, so they will remain simple. Citizens will be hard to govern when they become knowledgeable. It's disastrous to govern with knowledge, whereas it's a blessing to govern without knowledge. It is an useful way to help differentiate the two. Knowing the way on a regular basis, one would gain deeper understanding of the mysterious virtue, which is profound, far reaching, and ultimately converging to simplicity. Then, all will return to great nature. 

第六十六章　　　　　　　

江海所以能为百谷王者，以其善下之，故能为百谷王。是以圣人欲上民，以其言下之；欲先民，以其身后之。是以处上而民不重，处前而民不害。是以天下乐推而不厌。以其不争，故天下莫能与之争。

Chapter 66

The ocean becomes the king of all rivers because it chooses to stay at the lowest end. Hence a sage must behave modestly in order to receive support, he must also put his interest behind that of citizens in order to lead. Then, citizens feel no burden when he stays above, and feel no obstacles when he moves ahead. Hence, he receives constant supports from all people. No one can fight him as a result, simply because he doesn't fight for anything.