Chapter 59: Governing the People
Laozi teaches that governing people and serving heaven requires economy (嗇). Economy means early服 and accumulating virtue. Deep roots and firm foundation is the way of lasting life.
📖 Definition
Chapter 59 shows governing requires economy (嗇). Economy means accumulating virtue. Deep roots and firm foundation is the way of lasting life.
Source Text
Read the original alongside the English rendering
Original Chinese
治人事天，莫若嗇。
夫唯嗇，是謂早服；
早服謂之重積德；
重積德則無不克；
無不克則莫知其極；
莫知其極，可以有國；
有國之母，可以長久。
是謂深根固柢，長生久視之道。
English Rendering
Governing people and serving heaven — nothing is better than economy.
Only economy is called early服.
Early服 is called accumulating virtue thickly.
Thickly accumulating virtue, nothing cannot be overcome.
Nothing cannot be overcome — who knows the limit?
Who knows the limit — can have a nation.
Having the nation's mother can last long.
This is called deep roots and firm foundation — the way of lasting life and long vision.
The Best Method
治人事天，莫若嗇 — “Governing people and serving heaven — nothing is better than economy.”
Economy (嗇) is the best approach to both governance and serving heaven.
Early Compliance
夫唯嗇，是謂早服 — “Only economy is called early服.”
Economy leads to early compliance with the Tao. This is the foundation of everything.
Accumulating Virtue
早服謂之重積德 — “Early服 is called accumulating virtue thickly.”
Early compliance means accumulating virtue over time. Thick accumulation brings power.
Overcoming Everything
重積德則無不克 — “Thickly accumulating virtue, nothing cannot be overcome.”
When virtue accumulates thickly, nothing is impossible. This is the power of accumulated goodness.
Having a Nation
可以有國 — “Can have a nation.”
With thick virtue, you can lead a nation. This is the foundation of governance.
The Nation’s Mother
有國之母，可以長久 — “Having the nation’s mother can last long.”
The nation’s mother is the Tao. Holding to the Tao brings lasting governance.
Deep Roots
是謂深根固柢 — “This is called deep roots and firm foundation.”
Deep roots and firm foundation are the way of lasting life and long vision.
Modern Application
We waste resources constantly. Chapter 59 suggests: economize and accumulate virtue for lasting success.
Key Takeaways
- Economy is best for governance
- Early compliance leads to virtue
- Thick virtue overcomes everything
- Deep roots and firm foundation
- This is the way of lasting life
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Written by
Lee
Lee explains Chinese philosophy, strategy, and stories in plain English — for people who want ancient wisdom they can actually use. Based in China, writing for the world.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is economy (嗇)?
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