# Not putting oneself first: summary

Connects endurance with an attitude that does not put one’s own advantage first.

https://sakimyto.com/en/classics/laozi/chapter-07-not-putting-oneself-first

## Source and summary

[Laozi · Dao De Jing · Not putting oneself first](https://zh.wikisource.org/w/index.php?title=%E9%81%93%E5%BE%B7%E7%B6%93%20%28%E7%8E%8B%E5%BC%BC%E6%9C%AC%29&oldid=2354026#%E4%B8%83%E7%AB%A0)

> 天長地久。天地所以能長且久者，以其不自生，

Connects endurance with an attitude that does not put one’s own advantage first.

## Editorial interpretation

The example below adapts this chapter’s questions to modern work. Evaluate it against the actual purpose and conditions; ancient politics, warfare or ethics do not establish business results.

## Business application

Set priorities after hearing customers and the team rather than solely for a manager’s convenience.

1. Choose one relevant case and record its objective, available resources, verified facts and unknowns.
2. Compare options using this chapter’s perspective; choose a limited trial, owner, deadline and a measure to assess the result.

Deliverable: A comparison using not putting oneself first, with conditions for acting or declining.

## Limits

The summary selects main points rather than translating every sentence. The example is not a demonstrated business method; check it against stakeholders’ conditions and actual evidence.

## Validation question

How does this chapter’s perspective change the selected option or priority, and what further evidence could change the decision?

[Laozi: a guide to the Dao De Jing](https://sakimyto.com/en/classics/laozi)

[This material](https://sakimyto.com/classics-data/entries/laozi/chapter-07-not-putting-oneself-first.en.md)

Updated: 2026-10-13 · v1.0.0