Tao Te Ching
Tao Te Ching, Chapter 49
Chapter 49 of Tao Te Ching translated by James Legge (1893)
Translation
49. 1. The sage has no invariable mind of his own; he makes the mind of the people his mind.
2. To those who are good (to me), I am good; and to those who are not good (to me), I am also good;--and thus (all) get to be good. To those who are sincere (with me), I am sincere; and to those who are not sincere (with me), I am also sincere;--and thus (all) get to be sincere.
3. The sage has in the world an appearance of indecision, and keeps his mind in a state of indifference to all. The people all keep their eyes and ears directed to him, and he deals with them all as his children.
Practical Reading
The sage has no fixed mind; the people's mind becomes the sage's mind. In leadership, empathy creates alignment. Understanding others' perspectives enables effective service. What would serve them, not just you?