Tao Te Ching - Read by Wayne Dyer with Music & Nature Sounds ( Binaural Beats)

then the tao that can be said is not the eternal dao the name that can be named is not the eternal name the dao has a name and is nameless as nameless is the origin of all things as they are named is the mother of ten a thousand things never without desires one can see the mystery always by desiring one sees only 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 can know good as good only because there is a bad being and there is no - beings produce each other the difficult is born in the easy the long is defined by the short the high by the low before and then they go together so that the wise man lives openly with apparent duality and paradoxical unity the wise can act without effort and teach without words nurture things without possessing them work but not for rewards compete but not for results when the work is done forget that is why it lasts forever putting a value on status will create controversy if you overvalue possessions people begin to steal by not showing what is desirable you will make people's hearts remain calm the wise man rules by emptying minds and hearts weakening ambitions and strengthening bones practice non-doing when the action is pure and selfless everything settles into its place 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 to him no one is especially dear or there is no one whom he disfavors he gives and gives without conditions offering his treasures to all between 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 is called the mysterious feminine although she 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 is called the root of creation listen to her voice hear her echo through creation without fail she reveals her presence without fail she leads us to our own perfection although invisible it endures it will never end heaven is eternal the earth endures why heaven and earth last forever no they live for themselves this is the secret of their durability that is why the wise man puts himself last and that is why he finishes ahead he remains a witness of life that is why he endures he serves the needs of others and all his own needs will be satisfied through selfless action fulfillment is achieved the supreme good is like the water that nourishes all things without trying it flows to the lower places are detested by all men, therefore, it is like the dao, live according to the

nature

of things that dwell in you, stay close to the earth in meditation, go deep into the heart when dealing with others, be gentle and kind, keep your word, rule with equity, be timely.

By choosing the right moment, those who live in accordance with

nature

do not go against things, they move in harmony with the present moment, always knowing the truth of what to do to continue filling, it is not as good as stopping filling in excess the cup. hands drip better to stop pouring sharpen a blade too much and it will soon lose its edge fill your house with jade and gold and bring you security inflate yourself with honor and pride and no one will be able to save you from a fall leave when the work is done done this is it the way to heaven carrying body and soul and hugging 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 nurturing having yet without possessing working but without taking credit leading without controlling or dominating whoever pays attention to this power brings the dao to this very earth this is the primordial virtue 30 spokes converge into a single center is in the hole in the center where the use of the hinges of the cart shapes the clay into a vessel 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 what it is depends on what it is not the five colors that blind the sight the five tones deafen the hearing the five flavors dull the taste the persecution and the madness of the hunt the minds of people wasting energy to obtain rare objects only prevents growth the master observes the world but trusts his inner vision he allows things to come and go prefers what is within to what is without favor and disgrace seems alarming high status afflicts your person a lot why our favor and disgrace alarming seeking favor is degrading alarming when it is gained alarming when it is lost why high status afflicts your person the reason we have so many problems is that we have a self if we didn't have a self what problem would we have?

Man's true self is eternal, but he thinks that I am this body and that I will soon die if we do not have a body. What calamities can occur? we have one who sees himself as everything is fit to be a guardian of the world one who loves himself like everyone else is fit to be a master of this world what cannot be seen is called invisible what cannot be heard is called called inaudible that which cannot be held is called intangible these three cannot be defined, therefore, they are fused as one each of these three is subtle for description by intuition, you can see it, hear it and feel it, then the invisible, unheard and untouched are present as one, their rise brings no dawn. without establishing darkness, it goes on and on unnameable, return to nothingness, approach 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, you bring one. 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 watchful like men crossing a winter stream alert like men aware of danger simple as wood uncarved holes like caves giving way like ice about to melt, amorphous like cloudy water but the cloudiest water becomes clear because 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 hidden. It sprouts and does not rush to mature early It is totally empty Let your heart be at peace in the midst of the avalanche of worldly comings and goings Watch how endings become beginnings Things blossom each one only to return to the source what is and what it will be like to go back to the root is to find peace to find peace is to fulfill one's destiny to fulfill one's destiny is to be constant knowing the constant is called perception not knowing this cycle leads to eternal disaster knowing the constant gives this perspective perspective is impartial impartiality is the highest nobility the highest nobility is divine being divine you will be one with the dao being one with the dao is eternal this way is eternal is not in danger of physical death with the greatest leader above of them people hardly know that one exists then comes one whom they love and praise then comes someone whom they fear, then comes someone whom they despise and challenge when a 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 dao is present the action arises from one's own heart when the greatness of the dao is absent the action comes from the rules of kindness and justice if you need rules to be kind and just if you act virtuous, this is a sure sign that virtue is absent, therefore we see the great hypocrisy when kinship falls into discord, piety and rites of devotion arise when the country falls into chaos, loyal officers will appear and patriotism is born, abandon holiness, give up wisdom and it will be a hundred times better for everyone to throw away morality and justice and the people will do the right thing throw away industry and profits there will be no thieves all these are external forms alone they are not enough in themselves it is more important to see the simplicity of realizing one's true nature to discard selfishness and moderate 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 plenty should I fear the darkness when that light shines everywhere in spring some go to the park and They 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 without a place to go Wow, most people have too much.

Only I seem to be missing something. Mine is, in fact, the mind of an ignoramus in its pure simplicity. I am but a guest in this world while others rush about getting things done. I accept what is offered. Only I look stupid. burning little spending less other people fight for fame I avoid the spotlight preferring to be left alone, in fact I look like an idiot it doesn't matter, I don't care I let myself go like a wave in the ocean I blow as aimlessly as the wind every day Men settle in their furrows, only I am stubborn and I remain outside, but what differentiates me most from others is knowing how to take sustenance from the great mother.

The greatest virtue is to follow the Tao and only the Dao. The Tao is 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 breath of life of all things throughout the ages its name has been preserved to remember the beginning of all things How can I know the paths? of all things at the beginning I look inside myself and see what is inside me the flexible remain intact the bent become straight the voids are filled the exhausted are renewed the poor become rich the rich become confused therefore the wise embrace to one because he doesn't show himself, people 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 themselves in him because he has no goal in mind. Everything you do succeeds in the old saying that the flexible remains intact is surely correct if you have truly reached fullness everything will come to you to speak little is natural fierce winds do not blow all morning a downpour does not last the day who does this heaven and earth but these are exaggerated forced effects and therefore they cannot be sustained if heaven and earth cannot withstand a forced action how much less can man do it those who follow the path become one with the path those who follow good become one with good those who stray from the path The path and goodness become one with failure if you adapt to the way its power flows through you your actions become those of nature your ways those of heaven open yourself to the dial and trust your natural responses then everything will fall into place if you stand on tiptoe you cannot stand firm if you take long steps you cannot walk very far boasting does 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 they are hateful and unpleasant they are superfluous the excesses are like a pain in the stomach a tumor in the body when walking the path of 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 and empty solitary unchanging infinite eternally present it is the mother of the universe for lack of a better name I call it the dao I call it great great is unlimited unlimited flows eternally flows constantly constantly returns therefore the way is great heaven is great earth is great people are great therefore know humanity, understand the earth, know the earth, understand heaven, know heaven, understand the way, know the path, understand the great within oneself, the heavy is the root of light, the still is the master of discomfort, realize this, the successful person.

He is balanced and centered in the midst of all activities although he is surrounded by opulence he does not allow himself to be influenced why should the lord of the country flutter around like a fool if you let yourself be carried from one place to another you lose touch with your root to be restless is to lose self-control a knower of the truth travels without leaving a trace speaks without causing harm gives without counting the door that closes even if it does not have a lock the knot he makes cannot be opened although without using rope it cannot be undone be wise and help all beings leave impartially none waste any opportunity this is called following the light what is a good man but a bad man's teacher what is a bad man but a good man's work if the teacher is not respected and the student does not care about the Confusion will arise as it is wise, this is the great secret, the strength of man, but keep a woman's care, 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 bethe boss. of the world to be a model of the world is to constantly move along the path of virtue without taking a single step and returning again to the infinite whoever understands splendor by clinging to humility acts in accordance with eternal power to be the source of the world must live life abundant of virtue when the formless is transformed into objects its original qualities are lost if you preserve your original qualities you can truly govern anything the best governor governs the less you think you can take over the universe and improve it I don't think it can be done.

Everything under heaven is a sacred vessel and cannot be controlled. Trying to control leads to ruin. Trying to capture we lose. Allow your life to develop naturally. Know that you are also a vessel of perfection just as you breathe. 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 The wise man's whole life is a movement towards perfection so what need does he have for the excessive, the extravagant or the extravagant? the extreme that would guide a leader of men in the uses of life will warn him against the use of weapons for conquest.

Weapons are often turned against the bearer where armies are based. Nature offers nothing but brambles and thorns after a great battle has been fought. It 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 conquer others by force, any tension with force will soon decay is not in tune with the way its end comes too soon weapons are tools of violence all decent men detest them, therefore, followers of the dao never use them weapons serve evil they are the tools of those who oppose wise government use them only as a last resort for peace and tranquility they are dearest to the heart of the decent man and for him not even a victory is a reason for rejoicing for those who think that victory is beautiful it is one with the will to kill and someone with the will to kill will never prevail over the world it is a good sign when the higher nature of man presents itself a bad sign When your lower nature presents itself with the slaughter of multitudes we have pain and sadness every victory is a funeral when a war is won it is celebrated in the morning the eternal dial has no name although simple and subtle no one in the world can master it if the kings and gentlemen could control them the ten thousand things would naturally obey heaven and earth rejoice in the dripping of the sweet dew everyone would live in harmony not by official decree but by their own goodness once the hole is divided the parts need names there are enough names you know when to stop no one sets limits to avoid danger rivers and streams are born from the ocean and all creation is born from the dow just as all water flows back to become the ocean all creation flows back to become the dao who understands the others have knowledge he who understands himself has wisdom dominating others requires strength mastering oneself needs strength if you realize that you have enough you are truly rich someone who dedicates himself to his position surely lives long someone who dedicates himself to the dao surely it lives forever the great path is universal it can be applied to the left or the right all beings depend on it for life even so it does not take possession of them it fulfills its purpose but it claims nothing for itself it covers all creatures like the Heaven but he does not name them all things return to him as to their home but he does not rule over them so he can be called great the wise man imitates this behavior by not seeking greatness the wise man achieves greatness all men will reach the one who abides by that they go to him and receive no harm or in him they find peace, security and happiness

music

and dinner are fleeting pleasures but they make people stop how dull and insipid the things of this world are when one compares them with the dao when you look for it no there is nothing to see when you hear it there is nothing to hear when you use it it cannot be exhausted if you want to contain something you must deliberately let it expand if you want to weaken something you must deliberately let it strengthen if you want to eliminate something you must deliberately allow it to flourish if you want to remove yourself something must be deliberately granted access the lesson here is called the wisdom of darkness the gentle survives the strong the dark survives the obvious the fish cannot leave the deep waters and the weapons of a country must not be displayed the dow does nothing but it leaves nothing undone if powerful men could focus on it the whole world would transform itself into its natural rhythms when life is simple pretensions disappear our essential natures shine through not wanting there is calm and the world will straighten out when there is silence one finds within the anchor of the universe oneself a truly good man is not aware of his goodness and therefore is good a foolish man tries to be good and therefore is not good the master does nothing but leaves nothing undone the master common man is always doing things but there are many more left to be done the highest virtue is acting without a sense of self the highest goodness is giving without condition the highest justice is seeing without preference when the tao is lost there is goodness when loses goodness there is morality when morality is lost there is ritual ritual is the shell of true faith the beginning of chaos the great teacher follows his own nature and not the traps of life it is said that he keeps the fruit and not the the lint stays with what is firm and not with what is weak it stays with what is true and not what is false these things of antiquity arise from one the sky is complete 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 dial the sky becomes dirty the earth is exhausted the balance falls apart the creatures become extinct therefore nobility has its roots in humility haughtiness is based on humility that is why noble people refer to themselves as the only ones lacking and unworthy the parts of a car are useless unless they work in accordance with the whole a man's life contributes nothing to unless you live in accordance with the entire universe to play your part in accordance with the universe is true humility truly too much honor does not mean honor it is not wise to shine like jade and resonate like stone the returning chimes are the movement of the tao to yield 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 dao and retains some and loses others an inferior scholar hears about the dao and roars in derision without that laughter it would not be the dao so there are constructive sayings about this the path of enlightenment seems dark advancing seems like a retreat the easy path seems difficult true power seems weak true purity seems clouded true clarity seems dark the greatest art seems unsophisticated the greatest love seems indifferent the greatest wisdom seems childish the dao is hidden and nameless the dow alone nourishes and brings everything to fulfillment the dow gave birth to one one gave birth to two two gave birth to three three begat the ten thousand things the ten thousand things carry the yin and embrace the yang they achieve harmony by combining these forces people suffer at the thought of being left without parents, without food or without value, however, this is the way that kings and lords once described themselves because one wins by losing and loses by winning what others taught I teach the violent do not die a natural death this is my fundamental tea

ching

the softest of all things nullifies the hardest of all things that without substance enter where there is there is no space, therefore, I know the value of non-action, tea

ching

without words, acting without actions, few in the world can understand it, that is the path of the teacher, in fact , rare are those who obtain the reward of this world, which means more to you, you or your renown, which brings more to you or what you possess I say that what you gain is more trouble than what you lose love is the fruit of sacrifice wealth is the fruit of generosity a happy man is never disappointed he who knows when to stop only preserves himself from danger so you can endure for a long time the greatest perfection seems imperfect and yet its use is inexhaustible the greatest plenitude seems empty and yet its use is endless great righteousness seems twisted great intelligence seems stupid great eloquence seems uncomfortable great truth seems false great discussions seem silent activity conquers cold inactivity overcomes heat stillness and tranquility put things in order in the universe when the world has the way horses run retire to till the fields when the world lacks the way war horses are raised in the field there is no greater loss than losing the dial no greater curse than greed there is no greater tragedy than discontent the worst guilt is wanting more always satisfaction alone is enough in fact the bliss of eternity can be found in your satisfaction without leaving the door know the world without looking through the window you can see the paths 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 does not strive and yet he achieves plenitude learning consists of accumulating daily the practice of the dial consists of decreasing and decreasing daily until nothing is done when nothing is done there is nothing left to do true mastery can be achieved by letting things go their own way it cannot be achieved by interfering the wise man has no a fixed mind he is aware of the needs of others those with whom he treats well those who are bad 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 goodness He is faithful to the faithful He is also faithful to the unfaithful The wise man lives in harmony with everything under the sky He sees everything as himself He loves everyone as his own son All people are attracted to him He behaves like a small child between birth and death three out of ten are followers of life three out of ten are followers of death and men barely pass from birth to death they are also three out of ten why is it so because They cling to life and they cling to this passing world but there is one in ten who say so sure of life that tigers and wild bulls keep weapons away from him on the battlefield rhinos have no place to put him horns the tigers find no place for their claws and the soldiers have no place to stick their 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. It arises into unconscious existence. Perfect free. Take a physical body. Let circumstances complete it. Therefore, all beings honor the path and value its virtue. They have not been commanded to worship the. dao and pay homage to the virtue that they always do spontaneously the dow gives them life virtue nourishes them and nourishes them raises them and protects them and protects them the dow produces but does not possess the doubt gives without waiting the tao encourages 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 the mother we can proceed to know her children having known the children we must return and hold on to the mother keep your mouth shut guard the senses and life is always wide open your mouth you will always be busy and life is beyond hope seeing the small is called clarity staying flexible is called strength using the bright glow you return again to the light and save yourself misfortune this is called the practice of eternal light if I have Even with a little common sense, I should walk the great path and my only fear would be to go astray.

The great road is very smooth and straight and yet people prefer the winding road. That is why the court is corrupt, the fields are vacant, the granaries are empty. to dress magnificently to carry a sharp sword to gorge on food and drink to amass wealth to the point of not knowing what to do with it 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 dao will not be uprooted whoever embraces the dao will not escape generations honor generations cultivated without ceasing 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 do I knowIs this true when looking inside me?

He who is in harmony with the Dao is like a newborn child. Deadly insects won't bite you. Wild beasts will not attack him. Birds of prey won't hit it. The bones are weak. The muscles are soft but his grip is firm he has not experienced the union of man and woman but he is complete his manhood is strong he shouts all day without becoming hoarse this is perfect harmony to know harmony is to know the immutable to know the immutable is to have perception of things in harmony with the dow there remain things that are forced to grow for a while but then they wither this is not the dao and everything that is against the tao soon ceases to be those who know do not speak those who speak they do not know they block all the passages they close their mouths cordon off your senses dull your sharpness untie your nuts soften your radiance settle your dust this is the primordial union or the secret embrace the one who knows this secret does not allow yourself to be carried away by attachment or aversion is left carried by gains or losses or touched by honor or disgrace he is far beyond the concerns of men, he tries to occupy the dearest place in their hearts, this is, therefore, the most high level of man, if you want to be a great leader, you must learn to follow obstacles, 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 more people will be impoverished, the more advanced the weapons of the state will be, the darker the nation will be, the more ingenious and elaborate the plan will be, the stranger the result will be.

More laws are published, more thieves appear, therefore the wise man says: I take no action and the people reform. I enjoy the peace and the people become honest. I do nothing and 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 it interferes in their lives they become restless and disturbed bad fortune what good fortune relies on good fortune is what bad fortune hides who knows the ultimate goal of this process does not There is a norm of what is correct, however, what is normal soon becomes abnormal.

The confusion of the people is in fact long-standing, therefore the teacher is content to serve as an example and does not impose his will. It is pointed but does not transgress rightness. but it does not upset it illuminates but it does not dazzle in the government of men and in the service of nature nothing surpasses thrift and moderation moderation begins with the abandonment of one's own ideas this depends on virtue gathered in the past if there is a good reserve of virtue then nothing 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 The secret of long life and lasting vision To govern a big country is like frying a small fish.

If you mess it up with too many punctures, approach the universe with the Tao and evil will be powerless, not that evil is not powerful, but its power will not be used to harm others not only will it not harm others but the wise man himself It will also be protected if 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 lowlands through which all streams flow it is the repository of everything what is under the sky the feminine of the world the feminine surpasses the masculine with stillness lowering itself through its stillness so if a large country lowers itself before a small one it gains friendship and trust and if a small country can lower itself before one great, will defeat that great country, one wins by lowering the other by remaining low, the dao is the treasure house, the true nature, the secret source of everything, it is the good man's treasure and refuge. of the bad ones if a person seems evil don't throw him away wake him up wake him up with your words uplift him with your works pay for his harm with your goodness don't throw him away throw away his evil so when a new leader is chosen don't offer to help With your wealth or your experience , help him meditate at the beginning.

Offer him instead of teaching him about the Dao. Why did the ancients place so much importance on 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 to practice non-action to work without enjoying the tasteless magnify the small increase the few reward the bitterness with care see the simplicity in the complicated achieve greatness in the small things take on the difficulties while they are still easy to do great things while they are still small the wise man does not attempt anything very big and therefore achieves greatness if you agree too easily you will not be trustworthy because the wise man always faces difficulties he never experiences them what is at rest is easily handled what is not yet known manifest is easy to prevent the fragile from breaking easily the small is easily dispersed act before things exist manage them before there is disorder remember a tree that fills a man's embrace grows from a seedling a nine-story tower tall begins with a brick begins a journey of a thousand miles with a single step act and destroy, grab it and lose it.

The wise man does not act and that is why he is not defeated. He does not grab and therefore does not lose. People often fail when they are on the verge of success, so be very careful at the end. As in the beginning, then there will be no failure. The 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 lead. ancients were simple at heart and mixed with the common people they did not shine they did not rule intelligently so the nation was blessed when they think they know the answers people are difficult to guide when they know they do not know that people can find their own way no Using cunning to rule a country is good luck 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 this so? sea ​​king of a hundred streams because it is located below them humility gives it its power therefore those who desire a position above others must speak with humility those who wish to lead must follow thus it is that when a wise man is above People do not feel the heaviness of his weight and when he stands in front of people they do not feel hurt.

The wise man stays low so that the world never tires of exalting him. He remains a servant so that the world never tires of converting him into your king everyone talks about my dao with such familiarity how crazy the tao is not something that is found in the market or passed down from parents to children it is not something that is gained by knowing or lost by forgetting if the tower like this would have been lost and forgotten a long time ago I have three treasures that I hold on to and look at closely the first is mercy the second is frugality the third is humility because mercy comes from frugality courage comes generosity from humility comes leadership now if one were bold but had no mercy if one were broad but not frugal if one went ahead without humility one would die love defeats all attackers it is impregnable in defense when heaven wants to protect someone it sends an army it does not protect him with love a good soldier is not violent a good fighter does not get angry good winners do not quarrel well employers serve their workers the best leader follows the will of the people all of them embody the virtue of non-competition this is called the virtue of non-contention this is called employing the power of others, this since ancient times has been known as the ultimate unity with heaven, there is a saying among soldiers, I dare not take the first step but prefer to play the role of guest, I dare not advance even an inch. but rather I prefer to withdraw one foot this is called advancing without advancing pushing back 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, therefore, when two opponents meet, he who has no enemy will surely triumph when 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. I have an ancestor my works have a lord people have no knowledge of this therefore they have no knowledge of me that is why the wise man dresses simply even though his interior is full of precious gems know that ignorance is strength ignore knowledge It is illness only when we are fed up with our illness will we stop being sick the wise man is not sick but is fed up with illness this is the secret of health when people lack a sense of wonder there will be disaster when people do not fear worldly power it will come a greater power do not limit the vision of yourself do not despise the conditions of your birth do not resist the natural course of your life in this way you will never tire of this world, therefore the wise man knows himself, but He does not show himself, he loves himself, but he does not exalt himself, he prefers what is inside to what is outside.

Bold action against others leads to death. Bold action in harmony with the dao leads to life. of these things sometimes benefit and sometimes harm is the way of heaven to conquer without effort does not speak but is answered does not ask but is supplied with everything he needs does not rush but completes everything in time the net of heaven catches all its mesh It is rough but nothing escapes if you realize that all things change there is nothing you will try to hold on to if you are not afraid to die there is nothing you cannot achieve there is always a lord of death who takes the place of the lord of death is like someone who cuts with a master carpenter's blade who cuts with a master carpenter's blade will surely cut his hands when 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 the seventy-sixth verse of the daodaching a man is born gentle and weak in his death he is hard and rigid all things, including grass and trees, are soft and flexible in the life dry and brittle in death rigidity is, therefore, a companion of death flexibility a companion of life an army that cannot yield will be defeated a tree that cannot bend will crack in the wind how hard and rigid will break what is soft and flexible will prevail the way of heaven is like drawing a bow the high is lowered the low is raised when excess reduces when deficient increases the tao of humanity is the opposite reduces the deficiency to add to the surplus despoils the needy serves to those who have too much only the one who has the dao offers his surplus to others what the man has more than enough and gives it to the world only the man of the you the master can continue giving because his wealth has no end he acts without expectations triumphs without taking credit and does not believe he is better than anyone else nothing in the world is softer and weaker than water but by attacking the hard the unbreakable nothing can overcome it there is nothing equal the weak defeats the strong the soft surpasses the heart in everyone, 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, evil cannot enter his heart because he has stopped helping, he is the greatest help to people, true words.

They seem paradoxical. After a bitter fight, some resentment remains. What can be done about it? being content with what you have is always better in the end someone must risk returning harm with kindness or hostility will never turn into good will so the wise always give without expecting gratitude one with true virtue always looks for a way to give to someone who lacks of true virtue always seeks a way to reach through the giver the fullness of life comes to the one who takes only an empty hand imagine a small country with few people they have weapons and do not use they enjoy the work of their hands and do not waste time inventing labor-saving machines, they take death seriously and do not travel far because they love their homes very much, they are not interested in traveling, although they have boats and carriages, no one uses them, they are content with healthy food, they are content with useful clothing, they feel satisfied in comfortable homes and protectors of their way of life, even though they live within sight of their neighbors and you can hear the songs and barking of dogs on the road, they are left in peace while they grow old and die true words are not beautiful beautiful words are not true good men do not argue those who argue are not good those who have virtue do not look for faults those who look for faults do not have virtue the wise do not accumulate anything but give everything to others having more the more they give heaven does good to all no He does no harm to anyone, the wise man imitates him by acting for the good of all of you.