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Not symptoms
And focuses on the Tao； not the silly flower。
Forget the flower； follow the Tao instead。
39
People of ancient times possessed oneness。
The sky attained oneness and so became clear。
Earth attained oneness and so found peace。
The Spirit attains oneness and so is replenished。
The Valleys attained oneness and so became full。
All things attain oneness and they flourish。
The ancient leaders attained oneness
And so becme examples for All the world。
All of this is achieved by oneness。
Without oneness； the sky would crack
The Earth explode
The Spirit exhaust
The valley deplete
Leaders would certainly fall
And All life； perish。
Therefore the Great recognizes the Smal as its root。
The High takes the Low as its foundation。
Leaders refer to themselves as orphans and widows。
Is this not grounding oneself in humility？ Therefore the highest renown
is no renown。
We do not want to glitter like jewels。
We do not want to be hard as stone。
40
Returning is the movement of the Tao。
Yielding is the way of the Tao。
All things in the world are born of being。
Being is born of non…being。
41
When wise people hear about the Tao
They follow it carefully。
When ordinary people hear about the Tao
They can take it or leave it。
When foolish people hear about the Tao
They laugh out loud。
If they didn't laugh out loud； it wouldn't be the Tao！
Therefore it is said：
The path into light seems dark。
The way ahead seems to go backwards。
The path into peace seems rough。
The greatest good seems to us empty。
True purity seems stained。
The best efforts seem inadequate。
Appropriate caution seems like cowardice。
True essence seems violated。
The truly square bears no corners。 Sound vessels take time to build。
Celestia music is seldom paid much heed。
The greatest image is impossible to capture。 The Tao is hidden and
nameless
Yet it is the Tao alone that nourishes
and completes All things。
42
The Tao gives birth to one。
One gives birth to two。
Two gives birth to three；
And three gives birth to All things。
All things carry Yin and embrace Yang
Desiring nothing and finding harmony。
All people hate loneliness and poverty
Though they are the noblest of states。
So in losing； much is gained；
And in gaining； much is lost。
What others have taught； I also teach：
〃The violent shal die with violence。〃
This is my primary teaching。
43
The softest thing in the World
Overcomes the hardest thing in the World。
That which is without substance can enter even where there is no space。
Therefore I know the value of non…action。
Teaching without words
And benefit without actions
There are few in the World who can grasp it。
44
Fame or self： which is more important？
Your possessions or your person： which is worth more to you？
Gain or loss： which is worse？
Therefore； to be obsessed with 〃things〃 is a great waste；
The more you gain； the greater your loss。
Being content with what you have been given； You can avoid disgrace。
Knowing when to stop； You will avoid danger。
That way you can live a long and happy life。
45
True perfection seems flawed
Yet its usefulness is never exhausted。
True fulfillment seems empty
Yet its usefulness is infinite。
True straightness seems crooked；
Great skil appears easy；
Great eloquence sounds awkward。
Cold overcomes heat。
Tranquility conquers agitation。
Purity and stillness is the universa ideal。
46
When the World keeps to the Tao
Strong horses are best used to manufacture manure。
When the World forgets the Tao
War horses are bred outside the city。
There is no greater curse than discontent。
Nothing breeds trouble like greed。
Only one who is content with what is enough
will be content always。
l
47
Without going outside； You can know the whole world。
Without looking out the window；
You can know Heaven's Way。
The further out you seek
The less you understand。
Therefore； the Sage
Knows without needing to travel；
Understands without needing to see；
Accomplishes without 〃doing。〃
48
To pursue learning is to grow a little more every day。
To pursue the Tao is to desire a little less every day。
Desire less and less
Unti you arrive at 〃not…doing。〃
When you practice 〃not…doing；〃 nothing is left undone。
？br》 If you want to have the whole world；
Have nothing。
If you are always busy doing something；
You cannot enjoy the world。
l
49
The Sage's heart is not set in stone。
She is as sensitive to the people's feelings as to her own。
She says； 〃To people who are good； I am good。
And to people who are not good？ I am good to them； too。〃
This is true goodness。
〃People who are trustworthy； I trust。
And people who are not trustworthy； I also trust。〃
This is rea trust。
The Sage who leads harmoniously considers the mind of
her people as well as her own。
They look to her anxiously。
They are like her own children。
50
From birth to death；
Three people out of ten are celebrators of Life。
Three people out of ten are advocates of Death。
The rest simply move numbly from cradle to grave。
Why is this？
Because they are overly protective of this life。
It is said that one who knows how to protect his life can
walk freely without fear of the wild buffalo or tiger。
He may meet an army bravely with neither sword nor shield。
For the buffalo will find no place to sink its horns；
The tiger finds no place to dig his claws；
Weapons find no soft spot to pierce。 Why？
Because there is no place for death in him。
51
The Tao gives birth to All things。
Nature's goodness nurtures them。
Matter forms them。
Environment shapes them。
Therefore； All things cannot help but to respect the Tao and treasure
goodness。
Respect for the Tao and the treasuring of goodness are not demanded
of them； they do it naturally。
So； the Tao gives birth；
Nature's goodness nurtures them。
grows them； raises them and enables them to mature；
ripens them； nourishes and shelters them。
The Tao gives birth； but does not possess；
Acts； but does not take credit；
Guides； but does not control。
This is the mystery of goodness。
52
The World has an origin
Which we may regard as the Mother of the Universe。
Knowing the Mother； we can also come to know her children。
Knowing the children； return and hold fast to the Mother。
Doing this； you will not meet with danger your whole life long。
close your mouth Go easy on the senses And life will not be so hard。
If you spend your life filling your senses
And rushing around 〃doing〃 things
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