Chapter 67 – Tao Te Ching

1. The Verse (Original)

The whole world saysmy teachings are greatyet impractical.

But if they were not great,they would have faded long ago.If they were practical in the usual sense,they would be shallow.

I have three treasuresthat I hold and protect:

The first is compassion.The second is simplicity.The third is not putting myself above others.

With compassion,I can be courageous.

With simplicity,I can use what I have wisely.

With humility,I can lead without dominating.

Today, people reject compassionand try to be brave.They abandon simplicityand chase excess.They put themselves above othersand call it ambition.

This is death.

Compassion brings victory.Compassion brings protection.When Heaven prepares to save someone,it gives themthe gift of compassion.

2. The Essence — What Laozi Is Actually Saying

This chapter is Laozi’s heart laid bare.

He says:“My teachings look strange,but only because the world is upside down.”

He gives you three treasures—the core qualities that actually create strength, safety, and influence:

1. Compassion (ci) — the root of real power

2. Simplicity (jian) — the root of clarity and wisdom

3. Humility / Not competing (bugan wei tianxia xian) — the root of harmony

These treasures look “weak” to the world,but Laozi says they are the only thingsthat actually work.

Without them, society spirals intobravado, excess, competition—and ultimately collapse.

With them,you survive, thrive, and protect otherswithout needing force.

In Taoism:Compassion is the strongest force in the universe.

3. Modern Clarity — Slow, Rich, Beginner-Friendly Line-by-Line Commentary

“The whole world says my teachings are great yet impractical.”

People judge the Tao because they evaluate itusing worldly values:

• control• achievement• competition• dominance

The Tao does not operate on those terms.

“If they were not great, they would have faded long ago.”

Anything shallow disappears.The Tao has lasted thousands of yearsbecause it speaks to something eternal.

“If they were practical in the usual sense, they would be shallow.”

“Practical” to the ego means:

shortcutsforcemanipulationefficiency at any cost

The Tao is deeper than that.It operates on natural law, not ego law.

“I have three treasures that I hold and protect.”

Laozi finally reveals his core.What he considers sacred.The pillars of a well-lived life.

“The first is compassion.”

This word (ci) means tenderness, mercy, warmth—not sentimentality,but strength that comes from the heart.

“The second is simplicity.”

Simplicity here meansuncluttered living,clarity of heart,a return to essentials.

“The third is not putting myself above others.”

Humility.Non-competition.Not rushing to be first,loudest,or most important.

“With compassion, I can be courageous.”

True courage does not come from dominance—it comes from caring.

When you love, you become brave.

“With simplicity, I can use what I have wisely.”

Simplicity prevents waste—of energy,of resources,of attention.

Simplicity creates sufficiency.

“With humility, I can lead without dominating.”

Leadership without egocreates trust without fear.

“Today, people reject compassion and try to be brave.”

False courage = bravado.Agitation.Aggressive displays.

It collapses at the first real challenge.

“They abandon simplicity and chase excess.”

Modern life in one line.

Complexity becomes noise,noise becomes confusion,confusion becomes suffering.

“They put themselves above others and call it ambition.”

Ego calls selfishness “success.”But ambition without humilitybreaks the world.

“This is death.”

Death of harmony.Death of meaning.Death of societies and souls.

“Compassion brings victory.”

Not domination—but a victory of alignment.

Victory because people willingly followsomeone who truly cares.

“Compassion brings protection.”

Those who practice compassioncreate safety around them—within and without.

“When Heaven prepares to save someone, it gives them the gift of compassion.”

Compassion is Heaven’s shield.It is divine protection.It is alignment with the Tao itself.

4. IFS-Informed Understanding — The Tao Inside the Psyche

A. Compassion = Self-energy in its purest form

Self leads with warmth, curiosity, and care.This is identical to Laozi’s first treasure.

Parts relaxwhen compassion is present.

B. Simplicity = Uncluttered inner space

Simplicity is what happenswhen protectors step back,when urgency fades,when the mind is not scattered.

It is clear, spacious presence.

C. Humility = Non-blending with striving parts

Ambition-blended parts try to be first,loudest,rightest.

Self does not need that.

Humility is what unblending feels like.

D. “People reject compassion and try to be brave” = Firefighter courage

When parts take over,you get aggression instead of courage,overcompensation instead of strength.

Self-led courage is quiet, grounded, real.

E. Compassion brings protection = secure internal attachment

When Self leads with compassion:

• exiles feel held• managers soften• firefighters calm• the whole system feels safer

This is internal protection.

F. “Heaven gives compassion” = Self as the saving force

Compassion arises not from effort,but from Self-energy.

It feels like grace.It functions like salvation.

5. A Soft Invitation — Not Therapy, Just Curiosity

• Which of the three treasures is most alive in me?• Which one feels hardest to embody right now?• What happens inside when I imagine leading with compassion?• Where does the clutter in my life or psyche create unnecessary strain?• What part of me fears being “below” others? What does it protect?

6. Closing — The Tao and IFS Share the Same Gate

Compassion, simplicity, and humilityare not virtues to perform.They are qualities that arisewhen we are rooted in something deeper than fear.

The Tao teaches:These three treasures are the real power.

IFS teaches:These are the natural expressions of Self.

Both traditions reveal the same truth:

When compassion leads,strength becomes effortless.

When simplicity leads,wisdom becomes natural.

When humility leads,no one stands against youbecause you stand against no one.

This is the strengththat does not shout—the strength that endures.