Section 63
Chapter 63 explained simply
Tao Te Ching by Laozi
Original excerpt
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1. (It is the way of the Tao) to act without (thinking of) acting; to conduct affairs without (feeling the) trouble of them; to taste without discerning any flavour; to consider what is small as great, and a few as many; and to recompense injury with kindness. 2. (The master of it) anticipates…
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Public-domain original
63. 1. (It is the way of the Tao) to act without (thinking of) acting;
to conduct affairs without (feeling the) trouble of them; to taste
without discerning any flavour; to consider what is small as great,
and a few as many; and to recompense injury with kindness.
2. (The master of it) anticipates things that are difficult while they
are easy, and does things that would become great while they are
small. All difficult things in the world are sure to arise from a
previous state in which they were easy, and all great things from one
in which they were small. Therefore the sage, while he never does
what is great, is able on that account to accomplish the greatest
things.
3. He who lightly promises is sure to keep but little faith; he who is
continually thinking things easy is sure to find them difficult.
Therefore the sage sees difficulty even in what seems easy, and so
never has any difficulties.
Public-domain original text shown for study context.
Simple English explanation
Handle difficulty while it is still easy. Break big problems into small early actions. Waiting until trouble grows makes simple repair impossible.
1-minute summary
Chapter 63 explains that handle difficulty while it is still easy. In practice, break big problems into small early actions. It also warns that waiting until trouble grows makes simple repair impossible. The useful lesson is to make the wise move early, while the situation is still small enough to guide.
Key takeaways
- Handle difficulty while it is still easy.
- Break big problems into small early actions.
- Waiting until trouble grows makes simple repair impossible.
- Use the idea in one concrete decision today.
Modern example
A team fixes a small security warning before it becomes a breach.
For kids
Choose the simple, kind, and steady way when things feel confusing.