Hold on to the Great Image and all under heaven will approach you. Coming to you and not being harmed, they will find rest, peace, and security. A passing guest will pause at the sound of music and the smell of fancy food. By comparison the Tao is mild and flavorless. It is not solid [...]
The great Tao covers everything like a flood. lt flows to the left and to the right. The ten thousand things depend upon it and it denies none of them. It accomplishes its task yet claims no reward. It clothes and feeds the ten thousand things yet it does not attempt to control them. Therefore, [...]
Knowing others is to be clever. Knowing yourself is to be enlightened. Overcoming others requires force. Overcoming yourself requires strength. To know that you have enough is to be rich. Push through and you may get your way, but return home and you will endure. Live out your days and you have had a long [...]
The Tao is forever nameless. Though the Uncarved Block is small, it is not inferior to anything under heaven. lf leaders could keep hold of it, the ten thousand things would submit to them freely. Heaven and earth would unite and sweet dew would fall. The people would live in harmony without any law or [...]
Weapons are ill-omened things. Among gentle people the left side is the place of honor when at home, but in war the right side is the place of honor. Weapons are not proper instruments for gentle people; they use them only when they have no other choice. Peace and quiet are what they value. They [...]
