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The excerpt represents the core issue or deciding factor on which you must meditate, and is drawn from Tao Teh King by Lao-tze: 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 precedence of others, I can become a
vessel of the highest honour. Now-a-days they give up gentleness and
are all for being bold; economy, and are all for being liberal; the
hindmost place, and seek only to be foremost;--(of all which the end
is) death.
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