Verse 62

62.

The Tao is the true nature,

the secret source of everything.

It is the good man’s treasure

and the bad man’s refuge.

If a person seems wicked,

do not cast him away.

Awaken him with your words,

elevate him with your deeds,

repay his injury with kindness.

When a new leader takes office,

do not give him gifts and offerings.

Offer instead to

teach him about the Tao.

Why did the ancient Masters esteem the Tao?

Because, being one with the Tao,

you find without looking and

when you make a mistake, you are forgiven.

It is the source of all good,

and the remedy for all evil.

It is the most noble thing in the world.

There’s absolutely no doubt that in this world we often have to deal with ‘wicked’ people; those that are so misaligned and dysfunctional that they cause untold misery for themselves and all those around them. Relating with such people can be an enormous challenge. Lao Tzu gently advises us to embrace rather than reject them and to shine a light into the darkness around and within them.

In spite of all appearances, the darkness can never harm the light, for it is merely the absence of light. If you walk into a dark room, you deal with the darkness by switching on a light – and it’s gone, just like that. It may not be quite so simple when dealing with people – for many tend to cling to their darkness, having made an identity out of it – but the principle remains the same.

It is worth bearing in mind, however, that we should not try to force others to change, but simply accept and embrace them, and in so doing help them to become all they are capable of being.