Chapter 63: Addressing the Small (第63章：恩始)

為無為，事無事，味無味。
大小多少，報怨以德。
圖難於其易，為大於其細；
天下難事，必作於易，天下大事，必作於細。
是以聖人終不為大，故能成其大。
夫輕諾必寡信，多易必多難。
是以聖人猶難之，故終無難矣。
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Translation

Act through non-action (Wu Wei).
Manage through non-interference.
Taste the flavorless.

Treat the small as large and the few as many.
Repay resentment with Virtue (De).

Plan for the difficult while it is still easy.
Work on the great while it is still small.
The difficult things in the world must begin from what is easy.
The great things in the world must begin from what is small.

Therefore the Sage never seeks to be great, and so his greatness is achieved.
He who makes easy promises is seldom trusted.
He who takes things too lightly will face many difficulties.
Therefore the Sage treats even easy things as difficult, and so he never faces difficulties.

✦ ◆ ✦

📜 Liuren Perspective

In Liuren Fajiao, this chapter describes the art of Preventative Magic (防患於未然). We "plan for the difficult while it is easy" by performing regular cleansing and protection rituals (small tasks) to prevent major spiritual disasters (difficult tasks).

"Repaying resentment with Virtue" (報怨以德) is a technical instruction for breaking curses. If we respond to hatred with more hatred, we feed the negative loop. By responding with the pure Virtue of the Dao, we "neutralize the taste" of the resentment and dissolve the spiritual tie.

A master "treats even easy things as difficult" (猶難之). This refers to the extreme Meticulousness required in ritual work. We never "make easy promises" about magical results, nor do we take any ritual lightly. By maintaining this high level of respect and care for the "small" details, we ensure that the "great" work is achieved without obstacles.

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