Chapter 66
第六十六章
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;
江海之所以能为百谷王者，以其善下之，
it is thus that they are the kings of them all.
故能为百谷王。
So it is that the sage (ruler), wishing to be above men, puts himself by his words below them,
是以圣人欲上民，必以言下之，

and, wishing to be before them, places his person behind them.
欲先民，必以身后之。
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.
是以圣人处上而民不重，处前而民不害。
Therefore all in the world delight to exalt him and do not weary of him.
是以天下乐推而不厌。
Because he does not strive, no one finds it possible to strive with him.
以其不争，故天下莫能与之争。