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A large nation is like the lowest depths of a river: The world's female, which is the unifier of everything in the world. A female always remains still in order to subdue a male. In order to become still, she finds her proper place is to act from a lower position. Therefore, when a large nation remains below a small nation, it can capture the small nation. When a small nation remains below a large nation, it can be captured by the large nation. It might be that what is below takes over, or perhaps that what is below is taken over. Therefore, a large nation merely wants to bring together and nurture people; A small nation merely wants to be involved with serving people. Eventually everyone ends up getting what they want. As a result, that which is great finds its proper place is to act from a lower position.  Commentary: 61 ~ Being Supportive -A large nation is like the lowest depths of a river: -The world's female, which is the unifier of everything in the world. A river bed provides support for everything flowing above it - water, fish, debris, boats, etc. The ideal of a large nation would be to support everyone living within it, thereby being like a river bed. In that sense, it's like a female. A female animal nurtures her young and brings about unity within her family. -A female always remains still in order to subdue a male. -In order to become still, she finds her proper place is to act from a lower position. In order to procreate, a female animal will remain still so the male can mount her. She takes on a supportive role, remaining below the male. It's beneficial to both the female, the male and their future generations for the female to remain still and support the body of the male during copulation. -Therefore, when a large nation remains below a small nation, it can capture the small nation. -When a small nation remains below a large nation, it can be captured by the large nation. -It might be that what is below takes over, or perhaps that what is below is taken over. A small nation with fewer people wouldn't have a chance of capturing a larger nation simply due the fact of their manpower and size. If a large nation conquers a smaller nation by force, it's a hollow victory as the people in the smaller nation would feel resentment and rebellion in their hearts. A more natural method that would bring benefits to everyone would be for the larger nation to take a supportive role toward the smaller nation. If the smaller nation also becomes supportive of the larger nation, then the merger runs more smoothly. Then one might wonder which of them was actually the victor? Does it matter? -Therefore, a large nation merely wants to bring together and nurture people; -A small nation merely wants to be involved with serving people. -Eventually everyone ends up getting what they want. -As a result, that which is great finds its proper place is to act from a lower position. If the intention of a large nation is bring people together in order to nurture them, and the intention of a small nation is to have a more intimate involvement in creating a harmonious environment for them, the merger of the two ends up giving each of them what it is they desire. It becomes a win-win situation. We can see from that example that there's no reason for someone who has greater size or force to lord it over anyone else. If our desires are to create a delightful environment for ourselves and everyone else, the best way to accomplish that is to be supportive rather than contentious. | BY: Nina | Guodian Laozi | DDJ Concordance | Comparisons | From the DIO Forum | BY: Bao Pu | By: Joshua | Who was Laozi | | Return Home | Laozi's Dao De Jing | Your Dao De Jing | Zhuangzi (Chuang Tzu) | Links | Meditation | Dao (Tao) is Open Forum | Book List | Other Stuff | |
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