Chapter 66. Placing yourself last
The great streams and rivers receive tax from all rivers and streams through their lowliness: this is the reason for their greatness.
That is why a wise one wanting to rule the people talks of himself as lower than them; and wanting to be able he sets himself back-most.
Thus even if he is higher than them, they don’t feel his weight, and even if he were to go in front of them he is a hindrance to none.
That is why the whole world raises him to glory and no-one is offended by it.
Because he does not compete, he has no-one envious of him.
Own translation from 1925 Finnish translation by Pekka Ervast (ISBN 951-8995-01-X) with kind permission of Ruusu-Ristin Kirjallisuusseura ry.