Great states wish to shepherd small states; Small states wish to ask favors of great states; Both can have their desires if they hold to being below.
-Dao De Jing Chapter 61
To administer in accordance with Dao, the most important act is gathering. To gather is to be prepared. To be prepared is to constantly build De. To stockpile De is to be invincible. To be invincible is to have inestimable power. Only then can you be trusted with the nation. To hold the nation by the source makes it last. This is the way to be deeply rooted, to endure long and to see far.
-Dao De Jing Chapter 59
