the short of it:
To rule all, accept all.
66. Putting One’s Self Last.
That by which the rivers and seas are the rulers of all the (smaller) valleys is their keeping well down. This is the reason why they reign over all the (smaller) valleys. Therefore the sage, when [they wish] to be above (to rule) the people, must, in [their] language, keep below them. When [the sage] wishes to be before the people [they] must, in [their] language, keep behind them. In this way, while the sage really occupies a position above the people, [the people] do not feel [the sage’s] weight. And while [the sage] occupies a position before the people, [the people] do not suffer any inconvenience. Therefore the world delights to exalt [the sage], and no one is offended.
Because [the sage] strives not, therefore none in the world can possibly strive with [them].
66. ‘Putting One’s Self Last.’
66.1 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 [ruler] of them all. So it is that the sage (ruler), wishing to be above [people], puts [themselves] by [their] words below them, and, wishing to be before them, places [their] person behind them.
66.2 In this way though [the sage] has [their] place above them, [people] do not feel [the sage’s] weight, nor though [the sage] has [their] place before them, do [the people] feel it an injury to them.
66.3 Therefore all in the world delight to exalt [the sage] and do not weary of [them]. Because [the sage] does not strive, no one finds it possible to strive with [them].
66. Putting Oneself Behind.
66.1 That rivers and oceans can of the hundred valleys be [rulers] is due to their excelling in lowliness. Thus they can of the hundred valleys be the [rulers].
66.2 Therefore the holy [person], when anxious to be above the people, must in [their] words keep underneath them. When anxious to lead the people, [the holy person] must with [their] person keep behind them.
66.3 Therefore the holy [person] dwells above, but the people are not burdened. [The holy person] is ahead, but the people suffer no harm.
66.4 Therefore the world rejoices in exalting [the holy person] and does not tire. Because [the holy person] strives not, no one in the world will strive with [them].
the long of it:
Everything and everyone comes from the same place and returns to the same place. Wise people know this and don’t prioritize their own agenda anymore than someone else can prioritize theirs. It’s all the same agenda, and only distinguished by the meaning we assign it.
-TB
