Dao De Jing – Chapter 72

When people persist in ignorance and fearlessness, great calamity approaches. Practice moderation in daily living; Preserve the life-sustaining environment. Thus we avoid bitter consequences and cosmic retribution.

When the people no longer fear authority,
a greater dread will descend upon them.

Do not confine their dwelling;
do not oppress their livelihood.

Precisely because one does not oppress them,
they do not grow weary of one.

Thus, the sage knows himself but does not presume;
he values himself but does not exalt himself.

Therefore, he discards the latter and chooses the former.

Note

The Sage, selfless and egoless, perceives all phenomena as equal in the Dao. They possess self-awareness yet never deem themselves superior; They embody self-respect yet claim no nobility.

Further Reading

• Chapter 66: These two chapters are closely linked in their political wisdom of humility. Chapter 66 uses rivers and seas as metaphors to illustrate the principle of conduct, “If you wish to lead the people, you must place yourself below them in your speech.” Chapter 72 further emphasizes that rulers should “know themselves but not presume, cherish themselves without self-exaltation,” gaining support by not oppressing the people.
• Chapters 13 and 44: They echo each other regarding the philosophical connotation of valuing the self. Chapter 13 proposes “to value your person more than dominion over the world,” while Chapter 44 explores “which is dearer, your fame or your person?” Both stress cherishing one’s own life and dignity. The concept of “self-love” in Chapter 72 is a continuation of this thought, advocating that rulers should reject self-exaltation and lead by example.
• Chapter 38: These chapters share an internal consistency in their philosophy of conscious choice. Chapter 38 introduces the principle of “reject that, embrace this,” advocating for discarding superficiality in favor of simplicity. Chapter 72 concludes with the same principle, explicitly stating the need to reject “self-display and self-exaltation” while retaining “self-knowledge and self-love.”

民不畏威，則大威至。無狎其所居，無厭其所生。夫唯不厭，是以不厭。是以聖人自知不自見；自愛不自貴。故去彼取此。