Tao Te Ching Read by Wayne Dyer with Music & Nature Sounds Binaural Beats by @stairway11

foreigner the name that can be named is not the Eternal name the Dao is both named and nameless as nameless it is the origin of all things as they are named it is the mother of ten thousand things always without desires one can see the mystery always desiring only sees the manifestations and the Mystery itself is the door to all understanding under Heaven everyone can see beauty as Beauty only because there is ugliness everyone cannot see good as good only because evil and non-being produce each other the difficulties born in the long and easy are defined by brief the high by the low before and after they go together so the wise man lives openly with apparent Duality and Paradoxical Unity the wise man can act without effort and teach without words nurturing things without possessing them work but not for rewards compete but not for results when the work is done forget that's why it lasts forever put a value on status it will create controversy if you overvalue possessions people start stealing by not showing what is desirable you will make hearts of the people remain calm the wise man rules by emptying minds and hearts weakening ambitions and strengthening the bones practices non-doing when the action is pure and selfless everything settles in its own perfect place Heaven and earth are impartial they see the ten thousand things Like straw dogs, the wise man is not sentimental, he treats all his people like Straw Dogs, the wise man is like Heaven and Earth, for him, no one is especially dear, nor is there anyone whom he disfavors, he gives and gives without condition, offering his treasures to everyone.

Heaven and Earth there is a space like an empty and inexhaustible Bellows the more it is used the more it produces clinging to the center man was made to sit in silence and find the truth Within the spirit that never dies it is called The feminine Mysterious although it becomes the entire universe her Immaculate Purity is never lost although she assumes countless forms her true identity remains intact the gateway to the mysterious woman she is called the root of creation listen to her voice listen to her echo throughout creation without fail she reveals her presence without fail it leads us to our own Perfection although it is invisible it supports it it will never end The sky is eternal the Earth endures Why do Heaven and Earth last forever?

They do not live for themselves. This alone is the secret of its durability. That is why the wise man puts himself at the end and thus ends up ahead. He remains a witness to life. He endures, he serves the needs of others, and all of his own needs will be met through selfless action. Compliance is achieved. The supreme good is like water that nourishes all things without trying. It flows into low places that all men detest, therefore it is like the living Dao. in accordance with the

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of the things that dwell in us be close to the earth in meditation go deep into the heart in dealing with others be kind and kind uphold your word rule with equity be timely in choosing the right moment who lives according to

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does not go against things, it moves in harmony with the present moment, it always knows the truth of what to do to keep filling is not as good as stopping filling too much cupped hands leak better stop pouring sharpen a blade too much and its Edge will soon be lost, fill your house with Jade and gold and bring you insecurity with honor and pride and no one can save you from a fall, retire when the work is done, this is the way of Heaven carrying body and soul and embracing the one.

Can you avoid separation? Can you let your body become as flexible as a newborn child by opening and closing the Gates of Heaven? Can you play the female role? Can you love your people and rule your domain without personal importance giving birth and feeding even without possessing working but not taking credit leading without controlling or dominating whoever pays attention to this power brings the dial to this very Earth this is the primordial virtue 30 spokes converge on a single axis, it is generally in the center where the use of the cart is articulated, forming a vessel with clay, it is the interior space that makes it useful to carve fine doors and windows, but the room is useful in its emptiness, the usefulness of what is depends on what is not the five colors blind the eye the five tones deafen the ear five flavors dull the taste the chase and the madness of the hunt people's minds wasting energy to obtain rare objects only impedes growth the master observes the world but trusts his inner vision allows things to come and go prefers what is inside to what is not foreign favor and misfortune seem alarming High status greatly afflicts your person why our favor and misfortune alarming seeking favor is degrading alarming when it becomes alarming when it is lost why high status greatly distresses your person the reason we have many problems is that we have ourselves if we did not have ourselves what problems would we have?

Man's true self is eternal, yet he thinks that I am this body and I will soon die if we do not have a body, what calamities can we have? One who sees himself says that everything is suitable to be a guardian of the world; he who loves himself as he loves everyone is suitable to be a master of this world. What cannot be seen is called invisible. What cannot be seen. hearing is called inaudible what cannot be held is called intangible these three cannot be defined therefore they are fused as one of each of these three is subtle for its description by intuition, you can see it, hear it and feel it, then the Invisible , unheard and untouched, it is present as one, its rising brings no dawn, no setting, no darkness, it goes on and on, nameless, returning to nothingness, draw near to it. and there is no beginning, follow it and there is no end, you cannot know it, but you can be calm in your own life, discover how things have always been, it puts one in harmony with the way the ancient Masters were deep and subtle. , their wisdom was unfathomable there is no way to describe it one can only vaguely describe them by their appearance vigilant like men crossing a winter stream alert like men aware of danger simple like Wood Hollow uncarved like caves that give way like ice about to melt amorphous like water muddy but the cloudiest water becomes clear as it is still and from that stillness life emerges.

He who maintains the Dao does not want to be full, but precisely because he is never full, he can remain a hidden Sprout and does not rush to mature early. He remains totally empty, let your heart. to be at peace in the midst of the avalanche of worldly comings and goings to observe how endings become beginnings things flourish each only to return to the source to what is and what will be to return to the root is to find peace to find peace peace is to fulfill one's destiny to fulfill one's Destiny is to be constant to know that the constant is called Insight not to know this cycle leads to disaster Eternal to know the perspective of constant gifts this perspective is impartial impartiality is the highest nobility the highest nobility is divine Divine being in which you will be one with the Dao being one with the dial is eternal, in this way it is Eternal, it is not in danger of physical death with the greatest leader above them, people hardly know that one exists, then comes one whom they love and praise, then comes one whom they fear, then comes one whom they despise and challenge when the leader trusts no one no one trusts him the great leader speaks little never speaks carelessly works without self-interest and leaves no trace when everything is finished people say we did it ourselves when the greatness of the Tao This present action arises from one's own heart when the greatness of the Tao is absent the action comes from the rules of kindness and justice you need rules to be kind and just if you act virtuously it is a sure sign that virtue is absent, thus we see the great hypocrisy when kinship falls into discord piety and rights of devotion arise when the country falls into chaos loyal officers will appear and patriotism is born renunciation of holiness gives up wisdom and it will be a hundred times better for everyone throw away morality and justice and people will do the right thing throw away industry and profit there will be no thieves all these are external forms by themselves they are not enough in themselves it is Most important to see simplicity to realize one's true nature, discard selfishness and temper desire, give up learning and You will be free from all your worries.

What is the difference between yes and no? What is the difference between Good and Evil? Should I fear what others fear? Should I fear desolation when there is abundance? Should I fear the darkness when that light shines everywhere in spring? Some go to the park and go up to the Terrace but I'm just drifting not knowing where I am like a newborn baby before it learns to smile I'm alone with nowhere to go most people have too much It just seems to me I am missing something that is actually mine, the mind of an ignorant person in its pure simplicity I am nothing more than a guest in this world While others rush to do things I accept what is offered I only look foolish earning little by spending less other people They fight for fame I avoid the spotlight preferring to be left alone, in fact I look like an idiot, I don't care, I don't worry, I drift like a wave in the ocean, I blow aimlessly like the wind, all the Men settle into their furrows, only I am stubborn and stay outside, but in that I am most different from others.

It is knowing how to take sustenance from the great mother the greatest virtue is to follow the Dao and only the Dao that I was Elusive and intangible although formless and intangible gives rise to form although vague and Elusive gives rise to forms although dark and obscure is the spirit the essence the vital breath of all things throughout the centuries his name has been preserved to remember the beginning of all things how do I know the ways of all things at the beginning? I look inside myself and see what is inside me. The flexible ones remain intact.

The bent ones become straight. The voids are filled. The exhausted ones are renewed. The poor get rich. The rich get confused. That's why the wise man embraces the one because people don't show themselves. can see his light because he has nothing to prove people can trust his words because they don't know who he is people recognize him because he has no goal in mind everything he does is successful the old saying that the flexible stay intact surely he is right if you have really reached fullness he will do everything they come to you to talk little it is natural fierce winds do not blow all morning a downpour of rain does not last the day whoever does this Heaven and Earth but these are exaggerated forced effects and That is why they cannot be sustained.

If Heaven and Earth do not sustain a forced action, how much less is man capable of doing so. Those who follow the path become one with the path. Those who follow the good become one with the good. Those who follow the path. they stray from the path and goodness become one with failure if you conform to the path its power flows through you your actions become those of nature your ways those of Heaven open yourself to the Dao and trust your natural responses then everything will fall into place instead stand on tiptoe you cannot stand firm if you take long steps you cannot walk very far boasting do not reveal enlightenment boasting will not produce achievements he who is self-righteous is not respected he who boasts will not endure all these ways of acting are hateful unpleasant they are excessive superfluities they are like a pain in the stomach a tumor in the body when walking the path path of the Dao this is precisely what must be uprooted, discarded and left behind there was something formless and perfect before the universe was born it is serene void solitary immutable infinite eternally present is the mother of the universe for want of something better name I call it Dao I call it great great is unlimited, unlimited flows eternally, always flows, constantly returns, therefore the path is great.

The sky is great. The land is great. Heaven understands the path to know the path understand the great within yourself the heavy is the root of the light the still is the master of discomfort understanding this the successful person is balanced and centered in the midst of all activities even if he is not surrounded by opulence influenced why the lord of the country must flutter like a fool if you let yourself go you lose contact with your roots to be restless is to lose control of yourself a knower of the truth travels without leaving a trace speaks without causing harm gives without keeping count door that closes even if it does not have a lock you cannot open the knot that you tie even if you do not use a cord it cannot be undone be wise and help all beings impartially without abandoning any wasting any opportunity this is called following the light what is a good man but a bad man's teacher What is the job of a bad man but that of a good man if the teacher is not respected and the student is not cared for and will stand up no matter how intelligent he is?

This is the big secret. Know the strength of the man but maintain the strength of the woman. be careful be a valley under the sky if you do constant virtue will not fade one will become like a child again know the white keep the black and be the pattern of the world to be the pattern of the world is to move constantly on the path of the virtue without taking a single step and returning again to the infinite who understands the Splendor while maintaining humility acts in accordance with the eternal power being the Source ofworld is to live the Abundant Life of virtue when the formless form is formed into objects its original qualities are lost if you preserve your original qualities you can govern anything truly the best ruler governs the less you believe you can take over the universe and improve it I do not believe it can be done everything under heaven is a sacred vessel and cannot be controlled trying to control leads to ruin trying to grasp we lose allow your life to unfold naturally you know it is also a vessel of perfection just as you inhale and exhale there is a time to be ahead and a time to be behind a time to be in motion and a time to be at rest a time to be vigorous and a time to be exhausted a time to be safe and a time to be in danger for the wise, all life is a movement towards perfection, so what need does it have for the excessive, the extravagant or the extreme?

Yes, someone who would guide a leader of men in the uses. of life will warn you against using weapons for Conquest weapons often turn against the bearer where armies are based nature offers nothing but brambles and thorns after a great battle has been fought the earth is cursed the crops fail the Earth lies stripped of its motherhood after you have achieved your purpose you must not flaunt your success you must not boast of your ability you must not feel proud rather you must regret not having been able to avoid war you must never think of conquering others by force, whatever you strive with force will soon decay is not in tune with the form is not in tune with the form its end comes too soon weapons are tools of violence all decent men detest them therefore the Followers of the Tao never use them, weapons serve evil, they are the tools of those who oppose wise government, use them only as a last resort or peace and tranquility are dearest to the heart of the decent man and to him, even a victory is no cause for rejoicing.

He who thinks that triumph is beautiful, he has the will to kill and he has the will. Killing will never prevail in the world It is a good sign when man's higher nature presents itself A bad sign when his lower nature presents itself with the massacre of multitudes We have pain and sadness Every victory is a funeral When a war is won It is celebrated Al cry, the Eternal dial has no name, even if it is simple and subtle, no one in the world can master it. If Kings and Lords could control them, the ten thousand things would naturally obey.

Heaven and Earth would rejoice in the dripping of sweet Dew, everyone would live in harmony. not by official decree but by his own goodness once the hole is divided the parts need names there are enough names to know when to stop knowing when reason sets limits to avoid Danger the rivers and streams are born from the ocean and all creation is born from The Tao, Just as all water flows back to become the ocean, all creation flows back to become the Tao. He who understands others has knowledge. He who understands himself has wisdom. Dominating others requires Strength.

Mastering oneself needs strength if you realize that you have enough, you really are the rich one who dedicates himself to his position surely lives long he who dedicates himself to the Dao surely lives forever the great path is universal it can be applied to the left or to the right all beings depend on him for life yet he does not take possession of them he achieves his purpose but claims nothing for himself he covers all creatures like the sky but he does not name them all things return to him as to their home but He does not lord it over them, that is why he can be called great.

The wise man imitates this behavior by not claiming greatness. Sage achieves greatness. All men will come to him who maintain it. They go to him and receive no harm or find peace in him. , security and happiness,

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and dinner are temporary pleasures, but they stop people from being insipid. and insipid are the things of this world when one compares them with the Dao when you seek it there is nothing to see when you listen to it there is nothing to hear when you use it it cannot be exhausted if you want to contain something you must do it deliberately let it expand if you want to weaken something you must deliberately let it grow if you want to eliminate something you must deliberately allow it to flourish if you want to remove something you must deliberately grant it access the lesson here is called the wisdom of darkness the kind outlasts the strong the dark survives the obvious the fish cannot get out of the deep The waters in which a country lies weapons should not be displayed the Dow does nothing but leaves nothing undone powerful men could focus on it the entire world would transform itself into its natural rhythms when life is simple pretensions disappear our essential Natures shine by not wanting there is calm and the world will straighten out when there is silence one finds the anchor of the universe within oneself strange the truly good man is not aware of his goodness and therefore he is a good man fool tries to be good and therefore is not good the teacher does nothing but leaves nothing undone the common man is always doing things but there are many more left to do the highest virtue is to act without a sense of self the most highest goodness is giving without conditions the highest justice is seeing without preference when the Dow is lost there is goodness when goodness is lost there is morality when morality is lost there is ritual ritual is the shell of the true Faith the beginning of Chaos the Great Master follows his own nature and not the traps of life it is said that he keeps the fruit and not the fluff he keeps the firm and not the weak he keeps the true and not the false these things of antiquity arise from one the sky is whole and clear the Earth is whole and firm the spirit is complete and full the ten thousand things are complete and the country is upright all these are by virtue of wholeness when man interferes with the Tao the sky is broken becomes filthy the Earth is depleted the balance falls apart the creatures become extinct therefore nobility is rooted in humility haughtiness is based on loneliness that is why noble people refer to themselves as the only missing pieces and unworthy of a chariot are useless unless they work in accordance with the whole a man's life contributes nothing unless he lives in accordance with the whole universe playing his role in accordance with the universe true humility truly too much honor means no honor It is not wise to shine like Jade and Ring like Stone bells to return is the movement of the Dao to give way is the path of the Tao the ten thousand things are born from being are born from not being a great scholar hears about the Dao and begins to practice diligently a mediocre scholar hears about the Tao and retains something and loses something an inferior scholar hears about the Dao and roars with ridicule without it he laughs, it would not be the Dao so there are constructive sayings about it the path of Enlightenment seems dark advancing seems like a retreat the easy path seems difficult true power seems weak true Purity seems tarnished true Clarity seems dark the greatest art seems unsophisticated the greatest love seems indifferent the greatest wisdom seems childish the you are hidden and nameless you alone nourish and bring everything to fulfillment the Dao gave birth to one one gave birth to two two gave birth to three the three begot the ten thousand things the ten thousand things carry yin and embrace yang, they achieve Harmony by combining these forces.

People suffer at the thought of being without parents, without food, or without value. However, this is the way Kings and Lords once described themselves, because one wins by losing and loses by gaining what others taught. I teach the violent not to die a natural death this is my fundamental tea

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the softest of all things cancels the hardest of all things that without substance enters where there is no space that is why I know the value of non-action teach without words perform without actions few in the world can understand that it is the way of the Master, rare, in fact, are those who obtain the generosity of this world, which means more to you or your renown, which brings more to you or what you possess.

I say what you gain is more problems. that what is lost, love is the fruit of sacrifice, wealth is the fruit of generosity, the happy man is never disappointed, he who knows when to stop is preserved from danger, only in this way can he endure for a long time, the greatest perfection seems imperfect and yet its uses they are inexhaustible the greatest plenitude seems empty and yet its use is infinite the great righteousness seems twisted the great intelligence seems stupid the great eloquence seems uncomfortable the great truth seems false the great discussions seem silent activity overcomes the cold inactivity overcomes the Heat Stillness and tranquility put things in order in the universe when the world has the way horses are retired to run to plow the fields when the world lacks the way war horses are raised in the field there is no greater loss than losing the Dow there is no greater curse than greed there is no greater tragedy than discontent the worst of mistakes is always wanting more tents alone is enough, in fact, the Bliss of Eternity can be found in your satisfaction without leaving through the door, knowing the world without looking through the window, you can see the ways of Heaven, the further one goes, the less one knows, therefore, the wise man does not venture and yet he knows, he does not look and yet he names, he strives not, and yet he achieves completion.

Learning consists of accumulating daily. The practice of the Dao is to daily decrease, decrease and decrease until you do nothing. When nothing is done, nothing is left undone. True Mastery can be obtained by letting things go their way They are not gained by interfering The wise man does not have a fixed mind He is aware of the needs of others Those who are good Treat those who are bad with kindness He also treats with kindness because the nature of his being is good he is kind to the kind he is also kind to the cruel because the nature of his being is kindness he is faithful to the faithful he is also faithful to the unfaithful the wise man lives in harmony with everything that is under the heaven sees everything as himself he himself loves everyone as his own children all people are attracted to him he behaves like a little child between birth and death 3 out of 10 are followers of life three out of ten are followers of death and men who have just passed from birth to death are also three out of ten why Is this so because they cling to life and cling to this passing world, but there is one out of ten who says be so sure of life that tigers and wild bulls keep their weapons clear, turn their backs on the battlefield, rhinos have no place for horns?, tigers find no place for claws and soldiers have no place to stick his swords why is it like this because he dwells in that place where death cannot enter realize your essence and you will witness the endless end the path connects all living beings with their source Jump into existence unconscious perfect free and takes a physical body allows circumstances to be completed therefore all beings honor the path and value their virtue they are not commanded to worship the Tao and pay homage to Virtue but they always do so spontaneously the dial gives them life virtue nourishes and nourishes them, raises them, shelters them and protects them the Dow produces but does not possess the Dow gives without waiting the Dow Promotes growth without governing this is called hidden virtue all under heaven have a common beginning this beginning is the mother of the world having known to the mother that we can proceed to know her children having known the children we must return and cling to the mother keep our mouth closed protect the senses and life is always open mouth always be busy and life is beyond the hope to see the small is called maintaining flexible clarity it is called strength using The Shining Radiance you return again to the light and save yourself misfortune this is called the practice of the foreign Eternal Light if I had even a little sense I should walk in the great road and my only fear would be to stray from the path The great road is very smooth and straight and yet the people preferred crooked paths, that is why the court is corrupt, the fields are deserted, the granaries are empty, they dress magnificently and wear a sharp sword, gorge themselves on food and drink and accumulate wealth to the point of not knowing it. what to do with this is to be like a thief I say this pomp at the expense of others is like the boasting of thieves after evading this is not the Dao whoever is planted in the Dow will not be uprooted whoever embraces the Dao will not slip away Generations honor Generations infinitely cultivated in the self virtue is realized cultivated in the family virtue overflows cultivated in the community virtue increases cultivated in the state virtue abounds the Dao is everywhere it has become everything to see it truly see it as it is in a person see it as a person in a family see it as a family in a country see it as a country in the world see it as the world How can I know this is true by looking inside myself?

He who is in harmony with the Tao is like a newborn child, mortal insects will not bite him.savages will not attack him birds of prey will not hit him his bones are weak his muscles are soft but his grip is firm he has not experienced the union of man and woman but his wholeness his manhood is strong he screams all day without becoming hoarse this is harmony perfect for no one Harmony is knowing the immutable knowing the immutable is having perception things in harmony with the Dao are still things that are forced to grow for a time but then wither away this is not the Dao and everything that is against it of the Tao soon cease to be those who know and do not speak those who speak do not know block all the passages close their mouths cordon off your senses dull your acuity untie your nuts soften your gaze settle your dust this is Primordial The union or the secret embrace he who knows this secret, he does not let himself be carried away by attachment or aversion, he is carried away by gain or loss or is touched by honor or disgrace, he is far beyond the concerns of men, he comes to occupy the most important place. dear in their hearts, therefore this is the highest state of man abroad, if you want to be a great leader, you must learn to follow the Dao, stop trying to control, let go of fixed plans and concepts and the world will govern itself, how do I know this is so?

Because in this world, the greater the restrictions and prohibitions, the poorer the people become, the more advanced the weapons of the state, the darker the nation, the more ingenious and cunning the plan, the stranger the result, the more laws that are published, the more thieves appear, therefore the wise man says: I do not take any action and the people reform themselves I enjoy peace and the people become honest I do nothing and the people get rich if I avoid imposing myself on the people they become themselves when the ruler knows his heart people are simple and pure when he interferes in their lives they become restless and disturbed bad fortune is what good fortune relies ongood fortune is what bad fortune hides who knowsthe ultimate end of this process is that there is no standard of what is correct, but what is normal soon becomes abnormal.

People's confusion is in fact long-standing, so the teacher is content to serve as an example and not to impose his willpower; He is pointed out but not transferred. straightens but does not disturb illuminates but does not dazzle foreign rulers and serves nature nothing surpasses thrift and moderation moderation begins with the abandonment of one's own ideas this depends on the virtue accumulated in the past if there is a good reserve of virtue then nothing It is impossible If nothing is impossible Then there are no limits If a man knows no limits He is fit to lead This is the way to be deeply rooted and firmly planted in the Dao The secret of a long life and ultimate vision To govern a great country is like fry a small country Fish spoil it with too many punctures.

Approach the universe with the Dao and evil will have no power, but that evil is not powerful, but its power will not be used to harm others, not only will it not harm others, but the sage himself will also do so. to be protected only the ruler and his people would refrain from harming each other all the benefits of life would accrue to the kingdom a great country is like the low land into which all the streams flow it is the reservoir of all that lies beneath the sky, the feminine of the world, conquers man with Stillness, lowering itself through its stillness, so that if a great country lowers itself before a small one, it gains friendship and trust.

And if a small country can bow down to a big one, it will win over that big country, the one that wins by bowing down. the other by remaining under the Dao is the House of Treasure the true nature the secret source of everything is The Treasure of the good man and The Refuge of the bad if a person seems Evil do not throw him away awaken him with your words Elevate him with your works, pay his harm with your kindness, do not throw it away. Cast away their evil, therefore, when a new leader is chosen, do not offer to help them with your wealth or experience, help them meditate on the main offer, instead of tea

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them about the Dao, why the Ancients gave so much importance at the beginning?

Is it not because it is the source of all good and the remedy for all evil? It is the noblest thing in the world. Practice work without action without tasting the tasteless. Magnify it. small increase the few reward bitterness with care see the simplicity in the complicated achieve greatness in small things face difficulties while they are still easy do great things while they are still small the wise man does not attempt anything too great and thus achieves greatness if he too you easily agree you will be unconfident in yourself because the wise always face difficulties you never experience them what is at rest is easily handled what has not yet manifested is easy to prevent what is fragile is easily broken what is small is easily dispersed fit before things exist manage them before they exist it is disorder remember a tree that fills a man's Embrace grows from a seedling Tower nine stories high begins with a brick a journey of a Thousand Miles begins with a single step act and destroy it grab it and lose it The wise man does not act so as not to be defeated he does not grasp and therefore does not lose people generally fail when they are on the verge of success so be as careful at the end as at the beginning then there will be no failure a wise man does not hoard what is difficult to achieve he does not collect precious things he learns not to cling to ideas he helps the ten thousand things to find their own nature but he does not dare to carry them by the nose the ancients were simple at heart and mixed with the common people they did not shine no They governed intelligently, so the nation was blessed when they think they know the answers.

It's hard to guide people when they know they don't know that people can find their own way. Not using cunning to rule a country is good fortune for the country the simplest pattern is the clearest content with an ordinary life you can show all people the way back to their true nature why is the Sea King of a hundred currents because it is below them humility gives it its power therefore those who desire a superior position others must speak with humility, those who wish to lead must follow it, so when a wise man is above the people they do not feel the weight of his weight and when he is in front of people they do not feel hurt, the wise man remains low so that the world never tires of exalting him, he remains a servant, so the world never tires of making him its king.

Everyone speaks of my Dao with such familiarity. What Folly the Dao is not something found on the market or passed down from father to son. It is not something that is gained by knowing nor lost by forgetting if such an hour as this would have been lost and forgotten long ago. I have three Treasures that I keep and observe closely the first is Mercy the second is frugality the third is humility because from Mercy comes the courage of frugality arises generosity from humility arises leadership now if one were bold but not I would have mercy if I were broad but not frugal if one continued forward without humility one would die love defeats all attackers it is impregnable in defense When heaven wants to protect someone it does so it sends in harmony no, it protects them with love a good soldier is not violent a good fighter is not angry good winners do not compete good employers serve their workers the best leader follows the will of the people they all embody the virtue of non-competition this is called the virtue of not contending this is called employing the power of others this since ancient times has been known as the supreme unity with the sky there is a saying among soldiers I do not dare to take the first step but rather I prefer to play the role of a guest I do not dare to advance even an inch but I prefer to retreat to foot this is called advancing without advancing pushing backwards without using weapons there is no greater misfortune than feeling that I have an enemy because when I and the enemy exist together there is no room for my treasure so when two opponents confront each other the one who has no enemy will surely triumph the armies are equal he who has compassion wins my teachings are very easy to understand and very easy to practice, but very few in this world understand and very few are able to practice my words have an ancestor my works have a lord people do not have knowledge of this therefore they have no knowledge of me that is why the wise man dresses with simplicity even though his interior is full of precious gems knowing that ignorance is strength ignoring knowledge is illness only when we are fed up with our illness will we stop being sick The wise man is not sick but he is fed up with illness this is the secret of health when people lack a sense of wonder that will be a disaster when people do not fear worldly power a greater power will come let's not limit the vision of you Do not despise the conditions of your birth, do not resist the natural course of your life, in this way you will never get tired of this world, that is why the wise man knows himself but does not love himself but does not exalt himself, he prefers what it is within what is outside thanks bold action against others leads to death bold action in harmony with the Dao leads to life both things sometimes benefit and sometimes harm is Heaven's way of conquering without effort does not speak yet it is answered no question you still have everything you need you don't rush but you complete everything in time the net of Heaven catches all its mesh is rough but nothing escapes you realize that everything changes there is nothing you will try to hold on to if you don't have afraid of dying there is nothing you cannot achieve there is always a lord of death he who takes the place of the lord of death is like the one who cuts with the blade of a master carpenter who cuts with the blade of a master carpenter surely will cut off hands foreign taxes are too high people go hungry when the government is too intrusive people lose their spirit act for the benefit of the people trust them leave them alone verse 76 of the Dao of Ching a man is born gentle and weak death he is hard and rigid all things including grass and trees are soft and flexible in life dry and brittle in death rigidity is therefore a companion of death flexibility a companion of Life an army that cannot give way a tree will be defeated the hard and rigid will break the soft and flexible will prevail the way of Heaven is like drawing a bow the high is lowered the low is raised when there is a surplus it is reduced when it is deficient it increases The Tao of humanity is the opposite : reduces the deficiency to increase the surplus.

Dispossess those in need to serve those who have too much. Only he who has the Dao offers the surplus of it to others, what man has more than enough and gives to them. to the world only the man of you the teacher can continue giving because his wealth has no end he acts without expectations he succeeds without taking credit and he does not think that he is better than anyone else nothing in the world is softer and weaker than water but to attack the hard the unbreakable nothing can surpass it there is nothing equal the weak defeats the strong the soft surpasses the heart in the whole world there is no one who does not know this but no one can Master the practice that is why the teacher remains Serene in the midst of pain the evil cannot enter his heart because he has stopped helping he is the greatest help to people true words appear paradoxical after a bitter fight some resentment remains what can you do about it being happy with what you have is always the best in the world?

In the end someone must risk returning the damage with kindness or hostility will never resort to Good Will that is why the wise always gives without expecting gratitude one with true virtue always looks for a way to give one who lacks true virtue always looks for a way to obtain The Giver brings the fullness of life to the one who takes it, it is just an empty hand. Imagine a small country with few people. They have weapons and do not use them. They enjoy the work of their hands and do not waste time inventing machines that save labor.

They take death. seriously and do not travel very far since then they left their homes expensively they are not interested in traveling although they have boats and carriages no one uses them they are content with healthy food happy with useful clothes satisfied and comfortable homes and protective of their way of life although they live in plain sight of their neighbors and the songs and barking of the dogs are heard on the road one another in peace as they grow old and true words are not beautiful words are not true good men do not argue those who argue are not good those who have virtue They do not look for defects, those who look for faults have no virtue, the wise do not accumulate anything but give everything to others, having more the more they give, heaven does good to all, no harm to anyone, the wise man imitated by acting for the good of all strangers.