That which is at rest is easy to grasp. That which has not yet come about is easy to plan for. That which is fragile is easily broken. That which is minute is easily scattered. Handle things before they arise. Manage affairs before they are in a mess. A thick tree grows from a tiny [...]
Do without “doing.” Get involved without manipulating. Taste without tasting. Make the great small, The many, few. Respond to anger with virtue. Deal with difficulties while they are still easy. Handle the great while it is still small. The difficult problems in life Always start off being simple. Great affairs always start off being small. [...]
The Tao is hidden deeply in all things. It is the treasure of the good And the refuge of the not-so-good. With skillful words you can be successful. With honorable actions you can be included. People may not be so good, but how can you deny them? Therefore, even though there are great jewels brought [...]
The great state should be like a river basin. The mixing place of the world, The feminine of the world. The feminine always overcomes the masculine by softness Because softness is lesser. Therefore if a large state serves a small state It will gain the small state. If a small state serves a large state [...]
Ruling a large country is like cooking a small fish. When you govern people with the Tao Demons will have no power. Not that they don’t have power, But their power will not harm people. Since the sage doesn’t harm people, The two will not harm each other. Here their power merges and returns.
In governing the country and serving Heaven The is nothing like frugality. Only by being frugal can you recover quickly. When you recover quickly you accumulate virtue. Having accumulated virtue, There is nothing you can’t overcome. When there is nothing you can’t overcome Who knows the limits of our capabilities? These limits being unfathomable You [...]
