Chapter 66
All under heaven say my Way is vast, yet seems to resemble nothing.
It is precisely because it is so vast that it seems to resemble nothing.
If it resembled something specific, it would have long since become insignificant.
How subtle and refined it is! I have three treasures that I hold and preserve.
The first is called compassion. The second is called frugality. The third is called not daring to put oneself ahead of all under heaven.
Through compassion, one can be truly courageous. Through frugality, one can be truly expansive. Through not daring to put oneself ahead of all under heaven, one can become a leader of fully developed vessels.
Now, to abandon compassion yet seek courage; to abandon frugality yet seek expansiveness; to abandon staying behind yet seek to be first - this is death! For compassion, when used in battle, brings victory; when used in defense, brings solidity.
When Heaven moves to rescue something, it protects it through compassion.