#68 The Secret to Not Losing
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 68: Discover how Lao Tzu’s perspective of “keeping low” can be the key to avoiding defeat and reaching inner fulfillment.
Welcome back to The Wisdom of Lao Tzu.
This week, we delve into Chapter 68 of the Tao Te Ching, where Lao Tzu introduces us to another of his paradoxes: how can a peaceful heart triumph in warfare?
Moreover, his principle of non-contention, rooted in "keeping low," offers a surprising way of connecting with others and navigating life’s complex situations.
Let’s dive in.
**68**
善為士者,不武;
善戰者,不怒;
善勝敵者,不與;
善用人者,為之下。
是謂不爭之德,是謂用人之力,是謂配天古之極。
Border-crossing: English translations
#1 Lin Yutang’s version
The brave soldier is not violent;
The good fighter does not lose his temper;
The great conqueror does not fight (on small issues);
The good user of men places himself below others.
— This is the virtue of non-contending,
Is called the capacity to use men,
Is reaching to the height of being
Mated to Heaven, to what was of old.
#2 Edmund Ryden’s version
A good officer is no warmonger;
A good warrior is not wrathful.
Those good at overcoming enemies do not fight them;
Those good at deploying men put themselves beneath them.
This is called ‘the virtue of not competing’.
This is called ‘the power of deploying men’.
This is called ‘matching heaven’.
It is the peak of antiquity.1
#3 D. C. Lau’s version
One who excels as a warrior does not appear formidable;
One who excels in fighting is never roused in anger;
One who excels in defeating his enemy does not join issue;
One who excels in employing others humbles himself before them.
This is known as the virtue of non-contention;
This is known as making use of the efforts of others;
This is known as matching the sublimity of heaven.2
Deeper dive
In the previous chapter, Lao Tzu introduced his three treasures: compassion, frugality, and humility (or non-contention).
He then applies them to practical matters: compassion as the foundation of bravery, frugality as the root of generosity, and humility as the key to harmony.
Keeping low, building upon humility, of course, is Lao Tzu's signature move.
Now, if we tried to imagine Lao Tzu walking through a crowd, he would not stand out like some mystic sage—no magical aura, no dramatic fanfare.
Lao Tzu is not exactly the Jaqen H'ghar of Westeros, a many-faced assassin who slips through unnoticed. Instead, he would quietly blend in, like someone content to observe rather than to command attention.
That is his power—the paradox of his philosophy.
The warrior who excels in war is not formidable, and the good conqueror does not need to fight. The wisest person, by extension, often appears a bit... ordinary.
Or, as he puts it: "What is most straight appears devious. The greatest skill seems clumsy. The greatest eloquence sounds like stuttering."
Lao Tzu loved paradoxes, so it is fitting that his own persona would be full of them — wise, yet appearing mellow and unremarkable.
The peaceful warrior over violence
Lao Tzu was deeply aware of the devastating consequences of war, which is why he cautioned against it in multiple chapters of the Tao Te Ching, specifically Ch. 30, Ch.31, Ch. 69, and the current one.
His primary concern was cultivating peace, harmony, and non-contention, virtues he believed were essential for leaders to bring out the best in others.
At the core of Lao Tzu’s concept of wu wei is the belief that compassion is the cornerstone of leadership. He urged leaders, especially those with military power at their disposal, to act without force or aggression.
Rather than devising strategies for violence, Lao Tzu advocated for creating environments where harmony could flourish, minimizing the need for conflict in the first place.
However, Lao Tzu wasn’t naive enough to believe that preaching peace alone would bring about harmony. He understood that, at times, preparing for war is necessary to prevent it. His political philosophy reflects this balance, emphasizing the need for a holistic understanding of the subtle changes in social conditions:
Govern the state by being straightforward;
wage war by being crafty;
but win the empire by not being meddlesome. (Chapter 57)
Lao Tzu’s ideas later found a more practical application in Sun Tzu's writing, which echoes Lao Tzu’s philosophy of subtlety and non-contention.
All warfare is based on deception.
Hence, when able to attack, we must seem unable;
when using our forces, we must seem inactive;
when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away;
when far away, we must make him believe we are near.3
Spontaneous collaboration
Adopting Lao Tzu’s “keeping low" principle also helps us engage with life in a grounded way. By humbly positioning ourselves below others, we gain fresh perspectives and insights into the human experience.
We become attuned to the many paths people take, cultivating empathy, flexibility, and genuine collaboration in the process.
This unobtrusive, non-contending approach allows us to live with equanimity. We become less preoccupied with fame, honor, or vanity and more focused on simplicity—letting go of unnecessary worries and focusing on what truly matters.
Lao Tzu’s wisdom guides us to navigate relationships with grace and wisdom, avoiding the pitfalls of pride and competition. In doing so, we forge deeper connections with those around us.
Ultimately, "keeping low" is about transcending the traps of excessive worldly ambition. Fame, recognition, and rewards are secondary to our essential being.
True fulfillment doesn’t come from the spotlight but from quietly contributing to the world, free from the expectations of others, and blending harmoniously with the surroundings in its natural order.
Spiritual Taoism
Whenever I revisit Lao Tzu’s writings, this chapter on military affairs stands out because of its thought-provoking ideas on approaching warfare and navigating social relations.
Though some historical accounts remain skeptical of Lao Tzu’s identity, records suggest he served as the director of the state library during the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC).
Regardless of this uncertainty, the Tao Te Ching gives us a window into his worldview: Lao Tzu was undoubtedly a keen observer of human nature.
Dimming the light
The five colors blind the eyes of man;
The five musical notes deafen the ears of man:
The five flavors dull the taste of man;
Horse-racing, hunting and chasing madden the minds of man;
Rare, valuable goods keep their owners awake at night.
— Tao Te Ching, Chapter 12
With access to numerous official archives and correspondence between state leaders, Lao Tzu was able to analyze and decipher the underlying intentions and strategies of various states.
Living in an era dominated by power struggles and ego-driven leadership, he witnessed firsthand how leaders competed for dominance, often at the expense of their societies’ general welfare.
Yet, Lao Tzu attributed the problems of his time not merely to politics but to something more fundamental: the troubled hearts and minds of individuals.
On a personal level, it’s easy to be deceived by appearances and lose sight of our true selves amidst the distractions and allurements of life.
Society tends to reward us for extraordinary accomplishments, drawing us into a cycle where recognition and praise become enmeshed with our sense of worth.
This reward system is deeply embedded in the social structures surrounding us—our families, schools, workplaces, and public institutions—reinforcing the idea that a success-driven, linear path is the only way to live a meaningful life.
But have we ever paused to question this narrative?
On the surface, a life filled with acclaim and spotlight seems fulfilling, but do we risk losing our principles in the process? Is this constant pursuit of recognition truly the only path to a conscious existence?
Lao Tzu offers a different approach: a life rooted in humility, simplicity, and inward transcendence. Instead of seeking to stand out or shine above others, he suggests blending quietly with the natural flow of life.
By "keeping low," we shift our focus inward, working on what holds intrinsic value rather than chasing what is external. In this context, humility isn’t about self-effacement—it is about understanding our place in the vast expanse of the universe. Our accomplishments, no matter how grand they may seem, are fleeting moments in the larger scheme of things.
With this broader perspective, we realize we don’t need to take ourselves too seriously. Life is temporary, after all—so why not approach it with humility, compassion, and a spirit of service?
Merging with the world’s turmoil
Chuang Tzu shares a story that perfectly captures Lao Tzu’s spirit of "keeping low."
Yang Zhu, one of Lao Tzu’s students, once traveled to a city in southern China and arranged to meet his master in the suburbs.
However, when Lao Tzu saw Yang on the road, he turned his gaze to the sky, and Yang missed the chance to speak with him.
Later, at a local residence, Yang Zhu approached Lao Tzu and said, “Master, I wanted to ask you something earlier, but you seemed preoccupied, and I didn’t dare to intrude. May I ask, what was my fault?”
Lao Tzu replied, “You have a haughty look. Who would want to be in the same room with you? Sheer white appears like tarnished; great character appears like insufficient.”
Yang Zhu realized his fault and said, “Thank you for your advice.”
Before this conversation, Yang Zhu was treated like a noble guest in the residence where the people all made way for him. A senior man even held a mat for him, and his wife prepared a comb and towels.
After meeting with Lao Tzu, Yang Zhu became like a different person. The people in that residence mingled freely with him.
Thanks for reading!
All the best,
Yuxuan
Daodejing, trans. Edmund Ryden, (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008), 141.
Tao Te Ching, trans. D. C. Lau. (London: Penguin Classics, 1963), 75.
The Art of War, trans. Lionel Giles. Accessed at https://classics.mit.edu/Tzu/artwar.html.
loved and appreciated this post. Grateful for the work you have done to find different translations to uncover the layers and shades the meaning. Thank you!