ChineseStudy

63. Acting Without Forcing

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English translation

Act without forcing, attend to affairs without making trouble, and savor what seems to have no flavor.

All three phrases call for less artificial imposition: act without reckless interference, handle matters without multiplying them, and find value in what is plain.

See the large as arising from the small, and the many from the few; answer resentment with integrity.

Do not overlook small beginnings or keep hostility circulating. A principled response can interrupt the cycle of retaliation.

Plan for what is difficult while it is still easy; accomplish what is great by beginning with what is small. Difficult matters in the world always arise from what is easy, and great matters always arise from what is slight.

Difficulty and scale do not appear all at once. Attending early to small, manageable details keeps problems from growing and lets large aims take shape.

Therefore the sage never sets out to do something grand, and so is able to accomplish what is truly great.

Greatness comes from sustained attention to particulars, not from chasing a grand appearance or claiming importance in advance.

One who promises too readily is sure to be trusted little; one who treats many things as easy is sure to meet many difficulties.

Casual promises underestimate what fulfillment requires, while habitual overconfidence hides real obstacles. Sound judgment supports both reliability and success.

Therefore the sage continues to treat matters as difficult, and in the end encounters nothing insurmountable.

Recognizing difficulty early encourages preparation and timely action. “No difficulty” does not mean no obstacles, but no obstacle made unmanageable by carelessness.

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