Tao Te Ching

by Vincenzo Iafrati

A recent Commissioned Project includes original music for a documentary film on the "Tao Te Ching," by Lao-tzu. This will include 81 verses, with each verse having separate original music.


Verse 66 | Tao Te Ching

Verse 66

Why is the sea king of all streams?
Because it lies below them.

Humility gives it its power.

Thus if you wish to be above others,
you must practice being beneath them.
If you wish to be a leader,
first you must learn to follow.

Thus when such a person is a leader,
those under him do not feel oppressed.
When he stands in front of others,
they do not feel hurt.

The sage stays low so that, in a way,
the world never tires of him.
He remains a servant
so that the world never tires of making him its king.