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Rivers and seas can be kings of a hundred valleys |
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because they are good at staying below them; |
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thus they can be kings of a hundred valleys. |
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Therefore the sage, wishing to be above the people, |
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must place himself below them through his words; |
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wishing to precede the people, |
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must place himself behind them in person. |
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Thus he dwells above, yet the people feel no burden; |
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he dwells before, yet the people suffer no harm. |
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Therefore all under heaven gladly push him forward and do not tire of it. |
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Because he does not contend, |
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none under heaven can contend with him. |