' Serving with humility '...

Why is the sea, king of a hundred streams?
Because it lies below them. Therefore it is
the king of a hundred streams.

If the sage would guide the people, he must
serve with humility. If he would lead them, he
must follow behind.

In this way when the sage
rules, the people will not feel oppressed.

When
he stands before them, they will not be harmed.
The whole world will support him and will not
tire of him.

Because he does not compete, he does not
meet competition.


- Lao-tzu

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Tao Te Ching
Translation by Gia-fu Feng and Jane English
Vintage Books Edition, September 1972