Tao te Ching

Wisdom Always Comes From Below

Why do all the hundreds of great rivers
Flow naturally to the sea?
Because the sea
Is always lower than the rivers.

When are thousands of people
Attracted to a sage?
When she positions herself below them,
Always listening,
Tirelessly responding to their needs.

Never commanding.
Never coercing.
Never manipulating.

Such a sage is forever adored.
Since she treats everyone
With love and respect,
Everyone loves and respects her.

Verse 66
Translation by Ralph Alan Dale
Photo; Neptune