第六十一章
中文原文
大国者下流，天下之交，天下之牝。
牝常以静胜牡，以静为下。
故大国以下小国，则取小国；小国以下大国，则取大国。
故或下以取，或下而取。
大国不过欲兼畜人，小国不过欲入事人。
夫两者各得其所欲，大者宜为下。
English Translation
A great state is like a low-lying river,
The meeting place of the world,
The female of the world.
The female always conquers the male through stillness,
By being lowly.
Thus a great state that places itself below a small state, wins the small state.
A small state that places itself below a great state, wins the great state.
Thus one wins by yielding,
And one wins by submitting.
The great state only wishes to embrace others;
The small state only wishes to serve others.
So both achieve what they desire—
It is fitting for the great to remain low.
问答讲解
问：为什么大国要“以下”？
答：因为谦下才能得到真正的尊重。大国若以高压对待小国，只会失去民心。
Q: Why should a great state “place itself below”?
A: Because humility earns true respect. A great state that oppresses loses hearts, while yielding wins loyalty.
第六十二章
中文原文
道者，万物之奥。善人之宝，不善人之所保。
美言可以市尊，美行可以加人。
人之不善，何弃之有？
故立天子，置三公，虽有拱璧以先驷马，不如坐进此道。
古之所以贵此道者何？不曰以求得，有罪以免邪？
故为天下贵。
English Translation
Dao is the mystery of all things,
The treasure of the good,
The protection of the not-good.
Fine words can buy honor;
Good deeds can elevate others.
Why should the not-good be abandoned?
Thus, when establishing the emperor or appointing ministers,
Though one offers jade discs and four horses,
It is not as good as presenting Dao.
Why did the ancients prize Dao?
Was it not because with it, one may gain,
And with guilt, be pardoned?
Therefore, it is valued by the world.
问答讲解
问：为什么“不善人”也需要道？
答：因为道是普遍的根本，不仅是善人的宝藏，也是恶人赖以生存的保障。
Q: Why do even the not-good need Dao?
A: Because Dao is universal—it sustains both good and not-good, offering all a chance to live and reform.
第六十三章
中文原文
为无为，事无事，味无味。
大小多少，报怨以德。
图难于其易，为大于其细。
天下难事，必作于易；天下大事，必作于细。
是以圣人终不为大，故能成其大。
English Translation
Act without acting,
Work without working,
Savor the flavorless.
Make the small great,
The few many;
Repay resentment with virtue.
Plan the difficult while it is easy,
Do the great while it is small.
All difficult things in the world
Begin as easy.
All great things in the world
Begin as small.
Thus the sage never attempts greatness,
And therefore achieves greatness.
问答讲解
问：为什么说“报怨以德”？
答：因为以怨报怨只会恶性循环，唯有以德化怨，才能真正解除对立。
Q: Why “repay resentment with virtue”?
A: Because repaying resentment with resentment fuels endless conflict. Only virtue dissolves hostility.
第六十四章
中文原文
其安易持，其未兆易谋。
其脆易泮，其微易散。
为之于未有，治之于未乱。
合抱之木，生于毫末；九层之台，起于累土；千里之行，始于足下。
为者败之，执者失之。
是以圣人无为，故无败；无执，故无失。
民之从事，常于几成而败之。慎终如始，则无败事。
是以圣人欲不欲，不贵难得之货；学不学，复众人之所过；以辅万物之自然而不敢为。
English Translation
What is at rest is easy to hold;
What has not begun is easy to plan.
What is fragile is easy to break;
What is minute is easy to scatter.
Act upon things before they exist;
Manage them before disorder arises.
A tree that fills the arms grows from a tiny sprout;
A nine-story tower begins with a heap of earth;
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
He who acts spoils it;
He who grasps loses it.
Therefore the sage does not act,
And thus does not spoil;
Does not grasp,
And thus does not lose.
The people’s affairs often fail at the brink of success.
If they were as careful at the end as at the beginning,
They would not fail.
Therefore the sage desires no desires,
Does not value rare treasures,
Learns unlearning,
Returns to what the masses have passed by.
He supports the natural course of all things,
And dares not act.
问答讲解
问：为什么强调“慎终如始，则无败事”？
答：因为人往往在快成功时松懈，导致功亏一篑。保持始终如一的谨慎，才能圆满成功。
Q: Why emphasize “be careful at the end as at the beginning”?
A: Because people often fail at the final step. Consistent care ensures success without collapse.
第六十五章
中文原文
古之善为道者，非以明民，将以愚之。
民之难治，以其智多。
故以智治国，国之贼；
不以智治国，国之福。
知此两者亦稽式。
常知稽式，是谓玄德。
玄德深矣，远矣，与物反矣，乃至于大顺。
English Translation
The ancients who excelled in Dao
Did not try to enlighten the people,
But rather kept them simple.
The people are hard to govern
Because they have much cleverness.
Therefore, ruling a state with cleverness—
Is a thief to the state.
Not ruling with cleverness—
Brings blessing to the state.
Knowing these two is the model.
Always knowing the model—
This is called profound virtue.
Profound virtue is deep and far,
Returning with things,
Until it reaches great harmony.
问答讲解
问：为什么说“民之难治，以其智多”？
答：这里的“智”指的是小聪明与诡诈。太多的权谋与私智反而造成社会混乱。大道治理重在质朴无为。
Q: Why does it say “the people are hard to govern because they have much cleverness”?
A: Here “cleverness” means cunning and trickery. Too much scheming disrupts harmony. Daoist governance values simplicity over cleverness.
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