按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Do not display your treasures
or people will become envious。
The Master leads by
emptying people's minds；
filling their bellies；
weakening their ambitions；
and making them become strong。
Preferring simplicity and freedom from desires；
avoiding the pitfalls of knowledge and wrong action。
For those who practice not…doing；
everything will fall into place。
4
The Tao is like an empty container：
it can never be emptied and can never be filled。
Infinitely deep； it is the source of all things。
It dulls the sharp； unties the knotted；
shades the lighted； and unites all of creation with dust。
It is hidden but always present。
I don't know who gave birth to it。
It is older than the concept of God。
5
Heaven and Earth are impartial；
they treat all of creation as straw dogs。
The Master doesn't take sides；
she treats everyone like a straw dog。
The space between Heaven and Earth is like a bellows；
it is empty； yet has not lost its power。
The more it is used； the more it produces；
the more you talk of it； the less you comprehend。
It is better not to speak of things you do not understand。
6
The spirit of emptiness is immortal。
It is called the Great Mother
because it gives birth to Heaven and Earth。
It is like a vapor；
barely seen but always present。
Use it effortlessly。
7
The Tao of Heaven is eternal；
and the earth is long enduring。
Why are they long enduring？
They do not live for themselves；
thus they are present for all beings。
The Master puts herself last；
And finds herself in the place of authority。
She detaches herself from all things；
Therefore she is united with all things。
She gives no thought to self。
She is perfectly fulfilled。
8
The supreme good is like water；
which benefits all of creation
without trying to compete with it。
It gathers in unpopular places。
Thus it is like the Tao。
The location makes the dwelling good。
Depth of understanding makes the mind good。
A kind heart makes the giving good。
Integrity makes the government good。
Accomplishment makes your labors good。
Proper timing makes a decision good。
Only when there is no competition
will we all live in peace。
9
It is easier to carry and empty cup
than one that is filled to the brim。
The sharper the knife
the easier it is to dull。
The more wealth you possess
the harder it is to protect。
Pride brings its own trouble。
When you have accomplished your goal
simply walk away。
This is the pathway to Heaven。
10
Nurture the darkness of your soul
until you become whole。
Can you do this and not fail？
Can you focus your life…breath until you become
supple as a newborn child？
While you cleanse your inner vision
will you be found without fault？
Can you love people and lead them
without forcing your will on them？
When Heaven gives and takes away
can you be content with the outcome？
When you understand all things
can you step back from your own understanding？
Giving birth and nourishing；
making without possessing；
expecting nothing in return。
To grow； yet not to control：
This is the mysterious virtue。
11
Thirty spokes are joined together in a wheel；
but it is the center hole
that allows the wheel to function。
We mold clay into a pot；
but it is the emptiness inside
that makes the vessel useful。
We fashion wood for a house；
but it is the emptiness inside
that makes it livable。
We work with the substantial；
but the emptiness is what we use。
12
Five colors blind the eye。
Five notes deafen the ear。
Five flavors make the palate go stale。
Too much activity deranges the mind。
Too much wealth causes crime。
The Master acts on what she feels and not what she sees。
She shuns the latter； and prefers to seek the former。
13
Success is as dangerous as failure；
and we are often our own worst enemy。
What does it mean that success is as dangerous as failure？
He who is superior is also someone's subordinate。
Receiving favor and losing it both cause alarm。
That is what is meant by success is as dangerous as failure。
What does it mean that we are often our own worst enemy？
The reason I have an enemy is because I have 〃self〃。
If I no longer had a 〃self〃； I would no longer have an enemy。
Love the whole world as if it were your self；
then you will truly care for all things。
14
Look for it； and it can't be seen。
Listen for it； and it can't be heard。
Grasp for it； and it can't be caught。
These three cannot be further described；
so we treat them as The One。
Its highest is not bright。
Its depths are not dark。
Unending； unnamable； it returns to nothingness。
Formless forms； and imageless images；
subtle； beyond all understanding。
Approach it and you will not see a beginning；
follow it and there will be no end。
When we grasp the Tao of the ancient ones；
we can use it to direct our life today。
To know the ancient origin of Tao：
this is the beginning of wisdom。
15
The Sages of old were profound
and knew the ways of subtlety and discernment。
Their wisdom is beyond our comprehension。
Because their knowledge was so far superior
I can only give a poor description。
They were careful
as someone crossing an frozen stream in winter。
Alert as if surrounded on all sides by the enemy。
Courteous as a guest。
Fluid as melting ice。
Whole as an uncarved block of wood。
Receptive as a valley。
Turbid as muddied water。
Who can be still
until their mud settles
and the water is cleared by itself？
Can you remain tranquil until right action occurs by itself？
The Master doesn't seek fulfillment。
For only those who are not full are able to be used
which brings the feeling of completeness。
16
If you can empty your mind of all thoughts
your heart will embrace the tranquility of peace。
Watch the workings of all of creation；
but contemplate their return to the source。
All creatures in the universe
return to the point where they began。
Returning to the source is tranquility
because we submit to Heavens mandate。
Returning to Heavens mandate is called being constant。
Knowing the constant is called 'enlightenment'。
Not knowing the constant is the source of evil deeds
because we have no roots。
By knowing the constant we can accept things as they are。
By accepting things as they are； we become impartial。
By being impartial； we become one with Heaven。
By being one with Heaven； we become one with Tao。
Being one with Tao； we are no longer concerned about
losing our life because