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[
[
[
"tao"
],
[
"<reply> Can you coax your mind from its wandering/and keep to the original oneness?/Can you let your body become/supple as a newborn child's?/Can you cleanse your inner vision/until you see nothing but the light?/Can you love people and lead them/without imposing your will?/Can you deal with the most vital matters/by letting events take their course?/Can you step back from your own mind/and thus understand all things?/Giving birth and nourishing,/having without possessing,/acting with no expectations,/leading and not trying to control:/this is the supreme virtue.",
"<reply> The ancient Masters were profound and subtle./Their wisdom was unfathomable./There is no way to describe it;/all we can describe is their appearance./They were careful/as someone crossing an iced-over stream./Alert as a warrior in enemy territory./Courteous as a guest./Fluid as melting ice./Shapable as a block of wood./Receptive as a valley./Clear as a glass of water./Do you have the patience to wait/till your mud settles and the water is clear?/Can you remain unmoving/till the right action arises by itself?/The Master doesn't seek fulfillment./Not seeking, not expecting,/she is present, and can welcome all things.",
"<reply> If you want to become whole,/let yourself be partial./If you want to become straight,/let yourself be crooked./If you want to become full,/let yourself be empty./If you want to be reborn,/let yourself die./If you want to be given everything,/give everything up./The Master, by residing in the Tao,/sets an example for all beings./Because he doesn't display himself,/people can see his light./Because he has nothing to prove,/people can trust his words./Because he doesn't know who he is,/people recognize themselves in him./Because he has no goal in mind,/everything he does succeeds./When the ancient Masters said,/'If you want to be given everything,/give everything up,'/they weren't using empty phrases./Only in being lived by the Tao can you be truly yourself.",
"<reply> We join spokes together in a wheel,/but it is the center hole/that makes the wagon move./We shape clay into a pot,/but it is the emptiness inside/that holds whatever we want./We hammer wood for a house,/but it is the inner space/that makes it livable./We work with being,/but non-being is what we use.",
"<reply> Colors blind the eye./Sounds deafen the ear./Flavors numb the taste./Thoughts weaken the mind./Desires wither the heart./The Master observes the world/but trusts his inner vision./He allows things to come and go./His heart is open as the sky.",
"<reply> Empty your mind of all thoughts./Let your heart be at peace./Watch the turmoil of beings,/but contemplate their return./Each separate being in the universe/returns to the common source./Returning to the source is serenity./If you don't realize the source,/you stumble in confusion and sorrow./When you realize where you come from,/you naturally become tolerant,/disinterested, amused,/kindhearted as a grandmother,/dignified as a king./Immersed in the wonder of the Tao,/you can deal with whatever life brings you,/and when death comes, you are ready.",
"<reply> The ancient Masters/didn't try to educate the people,/but kindly taught them to not-know./When they think that they know the answers,/people are difficult to guide./When they know that they don't know,/people can find their own way./If you want to learn how to govern,/avoid being clever or rich./The simplest pattern is the clearest./Content with an ordinary life,/you can show all people the way/back to their own true nature.",
"<reply> The Master keeps her mind/always at one with the Tao;/that is what gives her radiance./The Tao is ungraspable./How can her mind be at one with it?/Because she doesn't cling to ideas./The Tao is dark and unfathomable./How can it make her radiant?/Because she lets it./Since before time and space were,/the Tao is./It is beyond is and is not./How do I know this is true?/I look inside myself and see.",
"<reply> Act without doing;/work without effort./Think of the small as large/and the few as many./Confront the difficult/while it is still easy;/accomplish the great task/by a series of small acts./The Master never reaches for the great;/thus she achieves greatness./When she runs into a difficulty,/she stops and gives herself to it./She doesn't cling to her own comfort;/thus problems are no problem for her.",
"<reply> The gentlest thing in the world/overcomes the hardest thing in the world./That which has no substance/enters where there is no space./This shows the value of non-action./Teaching without words,/performing without actions:/that is the Master's way.",
"<reply> The Tao is like a well:/used but never used up./It is like the eternal void:/filled with infinite possibilities./It is hidden but always present./I don't know who gave birth to it./It is older than God.",
"<reply> The Tao doesn't take sides;/it gives birth to both good and evil./The Master doesn't take sides;/she welcomes both saints and sinners./The Tao is like a bellows:/it is empty yet infinitely capable./The more you use it, the more it produces;/the more you talk of it, the less you understand./Hold on to the center.",
"<reply> Whoever is planted in the Tao/will not be rooted up./Whoever embraces the Tao/will not slip away./Her name will be held in honor/from generation to generation./Let the Tao be present in your life/and you will become genuine./Let it be present in your family/and your family will flourish./Let it be present in your country/and your country will be an example/to all countries in the world./Let it be present in the universe/and the universe will sing./How do I know this is true?/By looking inside myself.",
"<reply> She who is centered in the Tao/can go where she wishes, without danger./She perceives the universal harmony,/even amid great pain,/because she has found peace in her heart./Music or the smell of good cooking/may make people stop and enjoy./But words that point to the Tao/seem monotonous and without flavor./When you look for it, there is nothing to see./When you listen for it, there is nothing to hear./When you use it, it is inexhaustible.",
"<reply> The Master gives himself up/to whatever the moment brings./He knows that he is going to die,/and her has nothing left to hold on to:/no illusions in his mind,/no resistances in his body./He doesn't think about his actions;/they flow from the core of his being./He holds nothing back from life;/therefore he is ready for death,/as a man is ready for sleep/after a good day's work.",
"<reply> Fill your bowl to the brim/and it will spill./Keep sharpening your knife/and it will blunt./Chase after money and security/and your heart will never unclench./Care about people's approval/and you will be their prisoner./Do your work, then step back./The only path to serenity.",
"<reply> There was something formless and perfect/before the universe was born./It is serene. Empty./Solitary. Unchanging./Infinite. Eternally present./It is the mother of the universe./For lack of a better name,/I call it the Tao./It flows through all things,/inside and outside, and returns/to the origin of all things./The Tao is great./The universe is great./Earth is great./Man is great./These are the four great powers./Man follows the earth./Earth follows the universe./The universe follows the Tao./The Tao follows only itself.",
"<reply> If you realize that all things change,/there is nothing you will try to hold on to./If you aren't afraid of dying,/there is nothing you can't achieve./Trying to control the future/is like trying to take the master carpenter's place./When you handle the master carpenter's tools,/chances are that you'll cut your hand.",
"<reply> The Master doesn't try to be powerful;/thus he is truly powerful./The ordinary man keeps reaching for power;/thus he never has enough./The Master does nothing,/yet he leaves nothing undone./The ordinary man is always doing things,/yet many more are left to be done./The kind man does something,/yet something remains undone./The just man does something,/and leaves many things to be done./The moral man does something,/and when no one responds/he rolls up his sleeves and uses force./When the Tao is lost, there is goodness./When goodness is lost, there is morality./When morality is lost, there is ritual./Ritual is the husk of true faith,/the beginning of chaos./Therefore the Master concerns himself/with the depths and not the surface,/with the fruit and not the flower./He has no will of his own./He dwells in reality,/and lets all illusions go.",
"<reply> Governing a large country/is like frying a small fish./You spoil it with too much poking./Center your country in the Tao/and evil will have no power./Not that it isn't there,/but you'll be able to step out of its way./Give evil nothing to oppose/and it will disappear by itself.",
"<reply> When the Master governs, the people/are hardly aware that he exists./Next best is a leader who is loved./Next, one who is feared./The worst is one who is despised./If you don't trust the people,/you make them untrustworthy./The Master doesn't talk, he acts./When his work is done,/the people say, 'Amazing:/we did it, all by ourselves!'",
"<reply> In the beginning was the Tao./All things issue from it;/all things return to it./To find the origin,/trace back the manifestations./When you recognize the children/and find the mother,/you will be free of sorrow./If you close your mind in judgements/and traffic with desires,/your heart will be troubled./If you keep your mind from judging/and aren't led by the senses,/your heart will find peace./Seeing into darkness is clarity./Knowing how to yield is strength./Use your own light/and return to the source of light./This is called practicing eternity.",
"<reply> Fame or integrity: which is more important?/Money or happiness: which is more valuable?/Success of failure: which is more destructive?/If you look to others for fulfillment,/you will never truly be fulfilled./If your happiness depends on money,/you will never be happy with yourself./Be content with what you have;/rejoice in the way things are./When you realize there is nothing lacking,/the whole world belongs to you.",
"<reply> True perfection seems imperfect,/yet it is perfectly itself./True fullness seems empty,/yet it is fully present./True straightness seems crooked./True wisdom seems foolish./True art seems artless./The Master allows things to happen./She shapes events as they come./She steps out of the way/and lets the Tao speak for itself.",
"<reply> In harmony with the Tao,/the sky is clear and spacious,/the earth is solid and full,/all creature flourish together,/content with the way they are,/endlessly repeating themselves,/endlessly renewed./When man interferes with the Tao,/the sky becomes filthy,/the earth becomes depleted,/the equilibrium crumbles,/creatures become extinct./The Master views the parts with compassion,/because he understands the whole./His constant practice is humility./He doesn't glitter like a jewel/but lets himself be shaped by the Tao,/as rugged and common as stone.",
"<reply> He who is in harmony with the Tao/is like a newborn child./Its bones are soft, its muscles are weak,/but its grip is powerful./It doesn't know about the union/of male and female,/yet its penis can stand erect,/so intense is its vital power./It can scream its head off all day,/yet it never becomes hoarse,/so complete is its harmony./The Master's power is like this./He lets all things come and go/effortlessly, without desire./He never expects results;/thus he is never disappointed./He is never disappointed;/thus his spirit never grows old.",
"<reply> Return is the movement of the Tao./Yielding is the way of the Tao./All things are born of being./Being is born of non-being.",
"<reply> When a superior man hears of the Tao,/he immediately begins to embody it./When an average man hears of the Tao,/he half believes it, half doubts it./When a foolish man hears of the Tao,/he laughs out loud./If he didn't laugh,/it wouldn't be the Tao./Thus it is said:/The path into the light seems dark,/the path forward seems to go back,/the direct path seems long,/true power seems weak,/true purity seems tarnished,/true steadfastness seems changeable,/true clarity seems obscure,/the greatest are seems unsophisticated,/the greatest love seems indifferent,/the greatest wisdom seems childish./The Tao is nowhere to be found./Yet it nourishes and completes all things.",
"<reply> Every being in the universe/is an expression of the Tao./It springs into existence,/unconscious, perfect, free,/takes on a physical body,/lets circumstances complete it./That is why every being/spontaneously honors the Tao./The Tao gives birth to all beings,/nourishes them, maintains them,/cares for them, comforts them, protects them,/takes them back to itself,/creating without possessing,/acting without expecting,/guiding without interfering./That is why love of the Tao/is in the very nature of things.",
"<reply> The Tao gives birth to One./One gives birth to Two./Two gives birth to Three./Three gives birth to all things./All things have their backs to the female/and stand facing the male./When male and female combine,/all things achieve harmony./Ordinary men hate solitude./But the Master makes use of it,/embracing his aloneness, realizing/he is one with the whole universe.",
"<reply> Throw away holiness and wisdom,/and people will be a hundred times happier./Throw away morality and justice,/and people will do the right thing./Throw away industry and profit,/and there won't be any thieves./If these three aren't enough,/just stay at the center of the circle/and let all things take their course.",
"<reply> Stop thinking, and end your problems./What difference between yes and no?/What difference between success and failure?/Must you value what others value,/avoid what others avoid?/How ridiculous!/Other people are excited,/as though they were at a parade./I alone don't care,/I alone am expressionless,/like an infant before it can smile./Other people have what they need;/I alone possess nothing./I alone drift about,/like someone without a home./I am like an idiot, my mind is so empty./Other people are bright;/I alone am dark./Other people are sharper;/I alone am dull./Other people have a purpose;/I alone don't know./I drift like a wave on the ocean,/I blow as aimless as the wind./I am different from ordinary people./I drink from the Great Mother's breasts.",
"<reply> If you want to shrink something,/you must first allow it to expand./If you want to get rid of something,/you must first allow it to flourish./If you want to take something,/you must first allow it to be given./This is called the subtle perception/of the way things are./The soft overcomes the hard./The slow overcomes the fast./Let your workings remain a mystery./Just show people the results.",
"<reply> The heavy is the root of the light./The unmoved is the source of all movement./Thus the Master travels all day/without leaving home./However splendid the views,/she stays serenely in herself./Why should the lord of the country/flit about like a fool?/If you let yourself be blown to and fro,/you lose touch with your root./If you let restlessness move you,/you lose touch with who you are.",
"<reply> A good traveler has no fixed plans/and is not intent upon arriving./A good artist lets his intuition/lead him wherever it wants./A good scientist has freed himself of concepts/and keeps his mind open to what is./Thus the Master is available to all people/and doesn't reject anyone./He is ready to use all situations/and doesn't waste anything./This is called embodying the light./What is a good man but a bad man's teacher?/What is a bad man but a good man's job?/If you don't understand this, you will get lost,/however intelligent you are./It is the great secret.",
"<reply> The generals have a saying:/'Rather than make the first move/it is better to wait and see./Rather than advance an inch/it is better to retreat a yard.'/This is called/going forward without advancing,/pushing back without using weapons./There is no greater misfortune/than underestimating your enemy./Underestimating your enemy/means thinking that he is evil./Thus you destroy your three treasures/and become an enemy yourself./When two great forces oppose each other,/the victory will go/to the one that knows how to yield.",
"<reply> When a country obtains great power,/it becomes like the sea:/all streams run downward into it./The more powerful it grows,/the greater the need for humility./Humility means trusting the Tao,/thus never needing to be defensive./A great nation is like a great man:/When he makes a mistake, he realizes it./Having realized it, he admits it./Having admitted it, he corrects it./He considers those who point out his faults/as his most benevolent teachers./He thinks of his enemy/as the shadow that he himself casts./If a nation is centered in the Tao,/if it nourishes its own people/and doesn't meddle in the affairs of others,/it will be a light to all nations in the world.",
"<reply> When they lose their sense of awe,/people turn to religion./When they no longer trust themselves,/they begin to depend upon authority./Therefore the Master steps back/so that people won't be confused./He teaches without a teaching,/so that people will have nothing to learn.",
"<reply> The Tao is always at ease./It overcomes without competing,/answers without speaking a word,/arrives without being summoned,/accomplishes without a plan./Its net covers the whole universe./And though its meshes are wide,/it doesn't let a thing slip through.",
"<reply> The Master has no mind of her own./She works with the mind of the people./She is good to people who are good./She is also good to people who aren't good./This is true goodness./She trusts people who are trustworthy./She also trusts people who aren't trustworthy./This is true trust./The Master's mind is like space./People don't understand her./They look to her and wait./She treats them like her own children.",
"<reply> The Tao is the center of the universe,/the good man's treasure,/the bad man's refuge./Honors can be bought with fine words,/respect can be won with good deeds;/but the Tao is beyond all value,/and no one can achieve it./Thus, when a new leader is chosen,/don't offer to help him/with your wealth or your expertise./Offer instead/to teach him about the Tao./Why did the ancient Masters esteem the Tao?/Because, being one with the Tao,/when you seek, you find;/and when you make a mistake, you are forgiven./That is why everybody loves it.",
"<reply> True words aren't eloquent;/eloquent words aren't true./Wise men don't need to prove their point;/men who need to prove their point aren't wise./The Master has no possessions./The more he does for others,/the happier he is./The more he gives to others,/the wealthier he is./The Tao nourishes by not forcing./By not dominating, the Master leads.",
"<reply> The Tao is called the Great Mother:/empty yet inexhaustible,/it gives birth to infinite worlds./It is always present within you./You can use it any way you want.",
"<reply> The Tao is infinite, eternal./Why is it eternal?/It was never born;/thus it can never die./Why is it infinite?/It has no desires for itself;/thus it is present for all beings./The Master stays behind;/that is why she is ahead./She is detached from all things;/that is why she is one with them./Because she has let go of herself,/she is perfectly fulfilled.",
"<reply> Success is as dangerous as failure./Hope is as hollow as fear./What does it mean that success is as dangerous as failure?/Whether you go up the ladder or down it,/your position is shaky./When you stand with your two feet on the ground,/you will always keep your balance./What does it mean that hope is as hollow as fear?/Hope and fear are both phantoms/that arise from thinking of the self./When we don't see the self as self,/what do we have to fear?/See the world as your self./Have faith in the way things are./Love the world as your self;/then you can care for all things.",
"<reply> Look, and it can't be seen./Listen, and it can't be heard./Reach, and it can't be grasped./Above, it isn't bright./Below, it isn't dark./Seamless, unnamable,/it returns to the realm of nothing./Form that includes all forms,/image without an image,/subtle, beyond all conception./Approach it and there is no beginning;/follow it and there is no end./You can't know it, but you can be it,/at ease in your own life./Just realize where you come from:/this is the essence of wisdom.",
"<reply> Knowing others is intelligence;/knowing yourself is true wisdom./Mastering others is strength;/mastering yourself is true power./If you realize that you have enough,/you are truly rich./If you stay in the center/and embrace death with your whole heart,/you will endure forever.",
"<reply> The great Tao flows everywhere./All things are born from it,/yet it doesn't create them./It pours itself into its work,/yet it makes no claim./It nourishes infinite worlds,/yet it doesn't hold on to them./Since it is merged with all things/and hidden in their hearts,/it can be called humble./Since all things vanish into it/and it alone endures,/it can be called great./It isn't aware of its greatness;/thus it is truly great.",
"<reply> Weapons are the tools of violence;/all decent men detest them./Weapons are the tools of fear;/a decent man will avoid them/except in the direst necessity/and, if compelled, will use them/only with the utmost restraint./Peace is his highest value./If the peace has been shattered,/how can he be content?/His enemies are not demons,/but human beings like himself./He doesn't wish them personal harm./Nor does he rejoice in victory./How could he rejoice in victory/and delight in the slaughter of men?/He enters a battle gravely,/with sorrow and with great compassion,/as if he were attending a funeral.",
"<reply> In pursuit of knowledge,/every day something is added./In the practice of the Tao,/every day something is dropped./Less and less do you need to force things,/until finally you arrive at non-action./When nothing is done,/nothing is left undone./True mastery can be gained/by letting things go their own way./It can't be gained by interfering.",
"<reply> The great Way is easy,/yet people prefer the side paths./Be aware when things are out of balance./Stay centered within the Tao./When rich speculators prosper/While farmers lose their land;/when government officials spend money/on weapons instead of cures;/when the upper class is extravagant and irresponsible/while the poor have nowhere to turn-/all this is robbery and chaos./It is not in keeping with the Tao.",
"<reply> When taxes are too high,/people go hungry./When the government is too intrusive,/people lose their spirit./Act for the people's benefit./Trust them; leave them alone.",
"<reply> Men are born soft and supple;/dead, they are stiff and hard./Plats are born tender and pliant;/dead, they are brittle and dry./Thus whoever is stiff and inflexible/is a disciple of death./Whoever is soft and yielding/is a disciple of life./The hard and stiff will be broken./The soft and supple will prevail.",
"<reply> As it acts in the world, the Tao/is like the bending of a bow./The top is bent downward;/the bottom is bent up./It adjusts excess and deficiency/so that there is perfect balance./It takes from what is too much/and give to what isn't enough./Those who try to control,/who use force to protect their power,/go against the direction of the Tao./They take from those who don't have enough/and give to those who have far too much./The Master can keep giving/because there is no end to her wealth./She acts without expectation,/succeeds without taking credit,/and doesn't think that she is better/than anyone else.",
"<reply> The best athlete/wants his opponent at his best./The best general/enters the mind of his enemy./The best businessman/serves the communal good./The best leader/follows the will of the people./All of the embody/the virtue of non-competition./Not that they don't love to compete,/but they do it in the spirit of play./In this they are like children/and in harmony with the Tao.",
"<reply> For governing a country well/there is nothing better than moderation./The mark of a moderate man/is freedom from his own ideas./Tolerant like the sky,/all-pervading like sunlight,/firm like a mountain,/supple like a tree in the wind,/he has no destination in view/and makes use of anything/life happens to bring his way./Nothing is impossible for him./Because he has let go,/he can care for the people's welfare/as a mother cares for her child.",
"<reply> When a country is in harmony with the Tao,/the factories make trucks and tractors./When a country goes counter to the Tao,/warheads are stockpiled outside the cities./There is no greater illusion than fear,/no greater wrong than preparing to defend yourself,/no greater misfortune than having an enemy./Whoever can see through all fear/will always be safe.",
"<reply> What is rooted is easy to nourish./What is recent is easy to correct./What is brittle is easy to break./What is small is easy to scatter./Prevent trouble before it arises./Put things in order before they exist./The giant pine tree/grows from a tiny sprout./The journey of a thousand miles/starts from beneath your feet./Rushing into action, you fail./Trying to grasp things, you lose them./Forcing a project to completion,/you ruin what was almost ripe./Therefore the Master takes action/by letting things take their course./He remains as calm/at the end as at the beginning./He has nothing,/thus has nothing to lose./What he desires is non-desire;/what he learns is to unlearn./He simply reminds people/of who they have always been./He cares about nothing but the Tao./Thus he can care for all things.",
"<reply> Failure is an opportunity./If you blame someone else,/there is no end to the blame./Therefore the Master/fulfills her own obligations/and corrects her own mistakes./She does what she needs to do/and demands nothing of others.",
"<reply> If a country is governed wisely,/its inhabitants will be content./They enjoy the labor of their hands/and don't waste time inventing/labor-saving machines./Since they dearly love their homes,/they aren't interested in travel./There may be a few wagons and boats,/but these don't go anywhere./There may be an arsenal of weapons,/but nobody ever uses them./People enjoy their food,/take pleasure in being with their families,/spend weekends working in their gardens,/delight in the doings of the neighborhood./And even though the next country is so close/that people can hear its roosters crowing and its dogs barking,/they are content to die of old age/without ever having gone to see it.",
"<reply> If you overesteem great men,/people become powerless./If you overvalue possessions,/people begin to steal./The Master leads/by emptying people's minds/and filling their cores,/by weakening their ambition/and toughening their resolve./He helps people lose everything/they know, everything they desire,/and creates confusion/in those who think that they know./Practice not-doing,/and everything will fall into place.",
"<reply> The tao that can be told/is not the eternal Tao/The name that can be named/is not the eternal Name./The unnamable is the eternally real./Naming is the origin/of all particular things./Free from desire, you realize the mystery./Caught in desire, you see only the manifestations./Yet mystery and manifestations/arise from the same source./This source is called darkness./Darkness within darkness./The gateway to all understanding.",
"<reply> When people see some things as beautiful,/other things become ugly./When people see some things as good,/other things become bad./Being and non-being create each other./Difficult and easy support each other./Long and short define each other./High and low depend on each other./Before and after follow each other./Therefore the Master/acts without doing anything/and teaches without saying anything./Things arise and she lets them come;/things disappear and she lets them go./She has but doesn't possess,/acts but doesn't expect./When her work is done, she forgets it./That is why it lasts forever.",
"<reply> The supreme good is like water,/which nourishes all things without trying to./It is content with the low places that people disdain./Thus it is like the Tao./In dwelling, live close to the ground./In thinking, keep to the simple./In conflict, be fair and generous./In governing, don't try to control./In work, do what you enjoy./In family life, be completely present./When you are content to be simply yourself/and don't compare or compete,/everybody will respect you.",
"<reply> Express yourself completely,/then keep quiet./Be like the forces of nature:/when it blows, there is only wind;/when it rains, there is only rain;/when the clouds pass, the sun shines through./If you open yourself to the Tao,/you are at one with the Tao/and you can embody it completely./If you open yourself to insight,/you are at one with insight/and you can use it completely./If you open yourself to loss,/you are at one with loss/and you can accept it completely./Open yourself to the Tao,/then trust your natural responses;/and everything will fall into place.",
"<reply> If you want to be a great leader,/you must learn to follow the Tao./Stop trying to control./Let go of fixed plans and concepts,/and the world will govern itself./The more prohibitions you have,/the less virtuous people will be./The more weapons you have,/the less secure people will be./The more subsidies you have,/the less self-reliant people will be./Therefore the Master says:/I let go of the law,/and people become honest./I let go of economics,/and people become prosperous./I let go of religion,/and people become serene./I let go of all desire for the common good,/and the good becomes common as grass.",
"<reply> Without opening your door,/you can open your heart to the world./Without looking out your window,/you can see the essence of the Tao./The more you know,/the less you understand./The Master arrives without leaving,/sees the light without looking,/achieves without doing a thing.",
"<reply> Whoever relies on the Tao in governing men/doesn't try to force issues/or defeat enemies by force of arms./For every force there is a counterforce./Violence, even well intentioned,/always rebounds upon oneself./The Master does his job/and then stops./He understands that the universe/is forever out of control,/and that trying to dominate events/goes against the current of the Tao./Because he believes in himself,/he doesn't try to convince others./Because he is content with himself,/he doesn't need others' approval./Because he accepts himself,/the whole world accepts him.",
"<reply> Do you want to improve the world?/I don't think it can be done./The world is sacred./It can't be improved./If you tamper with it, you'll ruin it./If you treat it like an object, you'll lose it./There is a time for being ahead,/a time for being behind;/a time for being in motion,/a time for being at rest;/a time for being vigorous,/a time for being exhausted;/a time for being safe,/a time for being in danger./The Master sees things as they are,/without trying to control them./She lets them go their own way,/and resides at the center of the circle.",
"<reply> The Tao can't be perceived./Smaller than an electron,/it contains uncountable galaxies./If powerful men and women/could remain centered in the Tao,/all things would be in harmony./The world would become a paradise./All people would be at peace,/and the law would be written in their hearts./When you have names and forms,/know that they are provisional./When you have institutions,/know where their functions should end./Knowing when to stop,/you can avoid any danger./All things end in the Tao/as rivers flow into the sea.",
"<reply> Know the male,/yet keep to the female:/receive the world in your arms./If you receive the world,/the Tao will never leave you/and you will be like a little child./Know the white,/yet keep to the black:/be a pattern for the world./If you are a pattern for the world,/the Tao will be strong inside you/and there will be nothing you can't do./Know the personal,/yet keep to the impersonal:/accept the world as it is./If you accept the world,/the Tao will be luminous inside you/and you will return to your primal self./The world is formed from the void,/like utensils from a block of wood./The Master knows the utensils,/yet keeps to the the block:/thus she can use all things.",
"<reply> Some say that my teaching is nonsense./Others call it lofty but impractical./But to those who have looked inside themselves,/this nonsense makes perfect sense./And to those who put it into practice,/this loftiness has roots that go deep./I have just three things to teach:/simplicity, patience, compassion./These three are your greatest treasures./Simple in actions and in thoughts,/you return to the source of being./Patient with both friends and enemies,/you accord with the way things are./Compassionate toward yourself,/you reconcile all beings in the world.",
"<reply> Those who know don't talk./Those who talk don't know./Close your mouth,/block off your senses,/blunt your sharpness,/untie your knots,/soften your glare,/settle your dust./This is the primal identity./Be like the Tao./It can't be approached or withdrawn from,/benefited or harmed,/honored or brought into disgrace./It gives itself up continually./That is why it endures.",
"<reply> If a country is governed with tolerance,/the people are comfortable and honest./If a country is governed with repression,/the people are depressed and crafty./When the will to power is in charge,/the higher the ideals, the lower the results./Try to make people happy,/and you lay the groundwork for misery./Try to make people moral,/and you lay the groundwork for vice./Thus the Master is content/to serve as an example/and not to impose her will./She is pointed, but doesn't pierce./Straightforward, but supple./Radiant, but easy on the eyes.",
"<reply> The Tao never does anything,/yet through it all things are done./If powerful men and women/could venter themselves in it,/the whole world would be transformed/by itself, in its natural rhythms./People would be content/with their simple, everyday lives,/in harmony, and free of desire./When there is no desire,/all things are at peace.",
"<reply> When the great Tao is forgotten,/goodness and piety appear./When the body's intelligence declines,/cleverness and knowledge step forth./When there is no peace in the family,/filial piety begins./When the country falls into chaos,/patriotism is born.",
"<reply> All streams flow to the sea/because it is lower than they are./Humility gives it its power./If you want to govern the people,/you must place yourself below them./If you want to lead the people,/you must learn how to follow them./The Master is above the people,/and no one feels oppressed./She goes ahead of the people,/and no one feels manipulated./The whole world is grateful to her./Because she competes with no one,/no one can compete with her.",
"<reply> My teachings are easy to understand/and easy to put into practice./Yet your intellect will never grasp them,/and if you try to practice them, you'll fail./My teachings are older than the world./How can you grasp their meaning?/If you want to know me,/look inside your heart.",
"<reply> Not-knowing is true knowledge./Presuming to know is a disease./First realize that you are sick;/then you can move toward health./The Master is her own physician./She has healed herself of all knowing./Thus she is truly whole.",
"<reply> Nothing in the world/is as soft and yielding as water./Yet for dissolving the hard and inflexible,/nothing can surpass it./The soft overcomes the hard;/the gentle overcomes the rigid./Everyone knows this is true,/but few can put it into practice./Therefore the Master remains/serene in the midst of sorrow./Evil cannot enter his heart./Because he has given up helping,/he is people's greatest help./True words seem paradoxical.",
"<reply> He who stands on tiptoe/doesn't stand firm./He who rushes ahead/doesn't go far./He who tries to shine/dims his own light./He who defines himself/can't know who he really is./He who has power over others/can't empower himself./He who clings to his work/will create nothing that endures./If you want to accord with the Tao,/just do your job, then let go."
]
]
]
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