Classical Text 古典文獻 · Dao De Jing 道德經
Chapter 72 — Respecting Self
愛己
Part II — Virtue (De) 下篇·德經
Original Verse
原文
民不畏威，則大威至。
無狎其所居，無厭其所生。
夫唯不厭，是以不厭。
是以聖人自知不自見；自愛不自貴。故去彼取此。
English Translation
英譯
When the people do not fear your authority, a greater authority will arrive.
Do not oppress their dwellings; do not grow weary of their lives.
Because you do not weary of them, they will not grow weary of you.
Therefore the Sage knows himself but does not show himself;
He respects himself but does not value himself (ego).
He discards that and chooses this.
Liuren Fajiao Commentary
六壬法教注疏
In Liuren Fajiao, true Authority (威) is internal. If a master tries to "oppress" or force others through fear, they will lose their connection to the Great Authority of the Dao. We do not "meddle" (狎) in the lives of those we help, nor do we "grow weary" of the service we provide.
The master "Knows himself but does not show himself" (自知不自見). This means having full awareness of one's magical power, but keeping it hidden from public display. "Self-respect without ego" (自愛不自貴) is the key to maintaining Fa-dignity. We respect the Immortal Master within us, but we do not consider ourselves "noble" compared to others.
By "choosing this" (internal dignity) over "that" (external show of authority), the practitioner ensures that their magic remains a stable and respected force in the world.
Source: Dao De Jing (道德經), Chapter 72