Chapter 62

道者萬物之奧。
善人之寶，不善人之所保。
美言可以市尊，美行可以加人。
人之不善，何棄之有？
故立天子，置三公，雖有拱璧以先駟馬，不如坐進此道。
古之所以貴此道者何？
不曰求以得，有罪以免耶？
故為天下貴。

The Way is the innermost room of the ten thousand things.
It is the treasure of the good man and the safeguard of the man who is not good.
Fine words can buy honor; fine deeds can lift a man above others.
Though people are not good, why cast them away?
So when the Son of Heaven is enthroned and the three ministers are installed, though there be a jade disc that fills both arms, sent ahead of a team of four horses,¹ it is not as good as sitting still and offering this Way.
Why did the ancients prize this Way?
Did they not say that by it one who seeks will find, and one who has done wrong will escape?
So it is prized by all the world.

Notes

1. 1. The three ministers (三公) held the highest offices under the Son of Heaven. When precious gifts were presented of old, a great jade disc that took both arms to hold (拱璧) went first, and a carriage with a team of four horses (駟馬) came after.