Tao Te Ching -49
The master is not fixed in his mind,
He is open to others' minds:
He treats the kind with kindness,
He treats the unkind with kindness;
Thus kindness is attained.
He trusts the trustworthy,
He trusts the untrustworthy;
Thus trust is attained.
The master lives in the world quietly and humbly,
Blending his heart with that of all people.
The people watch and listen to him;
The master cares for them as children.
Translated by Chiyan Wang; edited by R. Smitheram and N. Wang
This chapter is about how we relate to others in the world.
The master trusts beyond fear, embracing both the trustworthy and the untrustworthy — not because he is naive, but because suspicion does not control his heart.
He moves through the world quietly, caring for others like children, with patience, softness, and without domination.
True wisdom is having no rigid self, responding to everyone with steady kindness and trust.
It is a teaching of compassion without judgment and influence without force.
