the power of non-contention

A good captain does not exhibit his martial prowess.
A good warrior does not get himself angry.
A good conqueror of enemies does not instigate a combat.
A good employer of people puts himself below them.

This is called the power of non-contention.
This is called using the strength of others.
This is called perfection in matching the heaven of old.
-- Ellen Chen, Chapter 68, Tao Te Ching

Jesus, Lao Tzu, and I were walking on a back trail of Observatory Mesa.

"I want to tell you a story," said Lao Tzu.

Jesus and I were expectantly silent.

We looked at him.

"An obnoxious drunk was bothering many people in an inn," he said.

"A martial artist sitting at a table began to be upset as well."

"The drunk was getting more boisterous, lurching around and aggressively bumping into people."

"The martial artist was about to jump him."

"At that moment, a calm but very clear voice said 'Hey!'"

"The drunk turned to look."

"It was a little old man with twinkling eyes."

"'Come here,' he said to the drunk. He patted the empty seat beside him."

"The drunk stumbled over and sat down."

"He was soon weeping and telling the old man his troubles."

"The old man gave him a handkerchief and they talked as if they were old friends."

We walked silently for a while.

"You were the little old man?" I asked.

"No. I was the drunk." he said.