Chapter 67
The Three Treasures of Leadership
67.1. All the world says that, while my Tao is great, it yet appears to be inferior (to other systems of teaching). Now it is just its greatness that makes it seem to be inferior. If it were like any other (system), for long would its smallness have been known! 2. But I have three precious things which I prize and hold fast. The first is gentleness; the second is economy; and the third is shrinking from taking precedence of others. 3. With that gentleness I can be bold; with that economy I can be liberal; shrinking from taking…
Public-domain chapter text, formatted for reading.
Critical Thinking Exercise
Map Your Power Style
Think of a recent situation where you needed to influence someone or handle conflict. Write down what you actually did, then rewrite the scenario using Lao Tzu's three treasures. How would gentleness, economy, and humility have changed your approach? What might the different outcomes have been?
Consider:
- •Consider how your energy levels would differ between the two approaches
- •Think about how the other person might have responded differently
- •Notice which approach builds long-term relationships versus short-term wins
Journaling Prompt
Write about a time when someone's quiet strength impressed you more than someone else's loud confidence. What made the difference, and how can you develop that kind of sustainable power in your own life?
Master this chapter. Complete your experience
Purchase the complete book to access all chapters and support classic literature
Available in paperback, hardcover, and e-book formats
You Might Also Like
Lessons from Tao Te Ching
Theme-by-theme analyses that connect this book to modern life skills.
Holding Both Poles
Beauty Invents Ugliness
Sit with beauty creating ugliness in chapter 2, then yield and be whole in chapter 22, and hold both poles without picking a side.
6 chapters·Explore AnalysisKnowing When You Have Enough
A Load You Can Still Carry
Fill the vessel, oversharpen the blade, and fill the house with jade in chapter 9, then answer chapter 44: name or body.
6 chapters·Explore AnalysisLeading Without Forcing
The Ruler the People Never Quite Knew
Rank the four leaders in chapter 17, then the rivers that lead by lying below in chapter 66, and create conditions instead of commands.
6 chapters·Explore AnalysisReturning to Source
The Report the Root Makes
Watch all things return to root in chapter 16, then shut the doors in chapter 52 so life can be simple again.
7 chapters·Explore AnalysisThe Usefulness of Emptiness
The Hole the Wheel Turns On
Build the wheel, the vessel, and the room in chapter 11, and see that the empty part is what works.
6 chapters·Explore AnalysisWu Wei (Effortless Action)
The Place Force Will Not Stand
Watch water in chapter 8 and the soft overcoming the hard in chapter 78, then stop forcing what alignment would have done.
6 chapters·Explore Analysis
Deep diving the literary elements.