Ruling the empire is “like boiling a small fish,” perhaps this means that ruling is difficult (67). However, if one rules according to the way, the forces of evil do not harm people, and the ruler also does not harm people. 

A state is compared to the lower parts of a river, where different streams join and become one. In this place, the female, or, according to Taoist philosophy, the weaker force, will be able to have more power than the male, or the more powerful force. Though the female force is still, she takes the submissive position and is able to join with the more powerful force, and the more powerful force, by being submissive, is able to take over the weaker force. If each force acts in a submissive way, they will take their rightful places and merge together peacefully, just as streams join peacefully to form a river.

The way offers protection for everyone. The way helps a good man protects others, while the bad man is protected. While beautiful words can help a person rise in rank, beautiful deeds will help someone even more. Even bad men can be protected and not abandoned with the way.