The Three Methods of Tao

All under heaven say that my "Dao" is so great that it resembles nothing concrete. Precisely because it is great, it does not resemble any particular thing. If it were to resemble any specific form, it would have long ago become insignificant.

I hold and preserve three treasures:

The first is called compassion;

The second is called frugality;

The third is daring not to put myself ahead of others.

With compassion, one gains true courage;

With frugality, one attains true abundance;

By not presuming precedence, one becomes the leader of all things.

Yet now people abandon compassion to pursue brute courage,

Discard frugality to chase extravagance,

Forsake humility to strive for supremacy

This is the path to certain death.

Compassion ensures victory in battle,

Compassion makes defenses impregnable.

When Heaven wishes to save someone,

It protects them through the power of compassion.