Tao Te Ching – 63

Do through non-doing;

Act through non-action;

Taste the tasteless.

Treat the great as small;

The many as few;

respond to hatred with virtue.

Deal with the difficult

While it is still easy;

Deal with the great

While it is still small.

All the difficult tasks in the world

Begin as easy things;

All the great tasks in the world

Begin as small things.

Therefore, the master never strives to be great;

And so achieves greatness.

Promises lightly made inspire little trust;

Taking things lightly leads to great difficulty;

The master treats things as difficulty

Therefore in the end, nothing is difficult.

Translated by Robert Smitheram & Chiyan Wang

This chapter teaches that great accomplishments begin with small, simple actions. Taoists do not seek greatness directly, force outcomes, or underestimate difficulties. Instead, they act at the right moment, address problems while they are still manageable, and respond to resentment with virtue. By treating small matters with care and taking difficulties seriously, they prevent them from becoming overwhelming. True greatness is achieved quietly, carefully, and patiently.