Chapter 67
第六十七章
All the world says that, while my Tao is great, it yet appears to be inferior (to other systems of teaching).
天下皆谓我道大，似不肖。
Now it is just its greatness that makes it seem to be inferior.
夫唯大，故似不肖；
If it were like any other (system), for long would its smallness have been known!
若肖，久矣其细也夫。
But I have three precious things which I prize and hold fast.
我有三宝，持而保之；
The first is gentleness; the second is economy; and the third is shrinking from taking precedence of others.
一曰慈；二曰俭；三曰不敢为天下先。

With that gentleness I can be bold; with that economy I can be liberal;
慈故能勇。俭故能广。
shrinking from taking precedence of others, I can become a vessel of the highest honour.
不敢为天下先，故能成器长。
Now-a-days they give up gentleness and are all for being bold; economy, and are all for being liberal;
今舍慈且勇，舍俭且广，
the hindmost place, and seek only to be foremost;--(of all which the end is) death.
舍后且先，死矣。
Gentleness is sure to be victorious even in battle, and firmly to maintain its ground.
夫慈以战则胜，以守则固，
Heaven will save its possessor, by his (very) gentleness protecting him.
天将救之，以慈卫之。