Tao Te Ching - 60

To be aligned with the Tao means to live in harmony within oneself and with all beings. Thoughts that lead to actions based on fear—whether fear of being harmed or the impulse to harm others—are already harmful.

The best self-protection and sense of safety are alignment with the Tao—natural, harmonious, and without forcing. When one is aligned with the Tao, one cannot be harmed.

Tao Te Ching – 60
Governing a large country
is like frying a small fish.
When leadership is aligned with the Tao,
Dark spirits lose their power;
It is not that dark spirits cease to exist,
Rather, their power can no longer cause harm.
Not only do dark spirits not harm people,
The sage does not harm people either.
Since neither causes harm,
The people naturally return to virtue.

Translated by Chiyan Wang; edited by Robert Smitheram

Tao Te Ching Chapter 60 Summary
A great nation should be governed with a gentle, non-intrusive approach, just as a small fish must be cooked carefully without excessive handling. When leaders follow the Tao rather than relying on force and control, harmful influences lose their power, people are not harmed, and virtue naturally flourishes. This chapter teaches that true leadership comes through wu wei (non-forcing), restraint, and harmony with the natural order.