Chapter 59

治人事天莫若嗇，夫唯嗇，是謂早服，早服謂之重積德，重積德則無不克，無不克則莫知其極，莫知其極，可以有國。有國之母，可以長久，是謂深根固柢，長生久視之道。

zhi ren shi tian mo
ruo se
治人事天莫若嗇

The way of governing people and the way of serving the Great Nature are both to cherish all things.

fu wei se, shi wei zao fu
夫唯嗇，是謂早服

To cherish is the kind of attitude that empowers a leader to abide by dao as early as possible.

zao fu wei zhi zhong ji de
早服謂之重積德

Abiding by dao as early as possible will enable the leader to enrich his de as richly as possible.

zhong ji de ze wu bu ke
重積德則無不克

Rich enrichment of de can suffice the leader his ability to overcome any difficulties.

wu bu ke ze mo zhi qi
ji
無不克則莫知其極

The ability to overcome any difficulties is thus the capability to anticipate and to prevent any social problem from causing aggravation.

mo zhi qi ji, ke yi
you guo
莫知其極，可以有國

Having the capability to anticipate and to prevent any social problem from causing aggravation will entitle the leader to possess the country.

you guo zhi mu, ke yi
chang jiu
有國之母，可以長久

This kind of possession is of the maternal way. It can be long-lasting.

shi wei shen gen gu
di
是謂深根固柢

Its firmness of possession is like a tall tree growing firmly from its deep roots.

chang sheng jiu shi
zhi dao
長生久視之道

This should be the way to eternity and the leader will be remembered eternally.