大方廣佛華嚴經隨疏演義鈔 43.27

43.27

疏「若海之下」等者，即《老子．德經》云「江海所以能為百谷王者，以其善下之故，能為百谷王。是以聖人欲上人以其言下之，欲先人以其身後之。是以處上而人不為重，處前而人不為害，是以天下樂推而不厭。」釋曰：特由謙卑，天下歸之，天下德趣之。

Regarding the Commentary's statement, "Like the sea placing itself low," and so forth: This is from the De jing of the Laozi, which says: "The reason rivers and oceans can be the kings of the hundred valleys is that they excel at being low; therefore they can be kings of the hundred valleys. For this reason, when the sage wishes to be above the people, he must in his words place himself below them; when he wishes to lead the people, he must in his person place himself behind them. Therefore, when he dwells above, the people do not feel burdened; when he dwells in front, the people do not feel harmed. For this reason, the world delights in exalting him and does not grow weary." Explication: It is solely due to modesty and humility that the world turns to him and the world's virtue inclines toward him.