# A receptive position in cooperation: summary

Uses a low gathering place for water and humility to discuss relations between large and small states.

https://sakimyto.com/en/classics/laozi/chapter-61-a-receptive-position-in-cooperation

## Source and summary

[Laozi · Dao De Jing · A receptive position in cooperation](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#%E5%85%AD%E5%8D%81%E4%B8%80%E7%AB%A0)

> 大國者下流，

Uses a low gathering place for water and humility to discuss relations between large and small states.

## 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

In a partnership with a larger party, state your value and their objective and clarify both sides’ responsibilities.

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 a receptive position in cooperation, 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-61-a-receptive-position-in-cooperation.en.md)

Updated: 2026-10-13 · v1.0.0