All streams flow to the sea because it is lower than they are. Humility gives it its power. If you want to govern the people, you must place yourself below them. If you want to lead the people, you must learn how to follow them.

Stephen Mitchell is a renowned American translator, anthologist, and poet. He has translated the go-to editions of religious and literary works such as the Tao Te Ching, the Bhagavad Gita, Gilgamesh, the Gospels, the selected works of Rainer Maria Rilke, and Beowulf. Mitchell coauthors works on mindfulness meditation for self-healing with his wife, Byron Katie.