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Similarly people see good in what they call 〃good；〃
That way they know of the 〃bad。〃
Existence and Emptiness are concepts
that make sense by comparison。
Similarly； long lends meaning to short； and high to low。
Harmony is produced when sounds combine in unison。
Because the fore goes； so the back follows。
Thus the Sage would not act as if he could act on his will。
He teaches the unspoken teaching。
No word is ever spoken； yet living things thrive。
No ownership is claimed； though Nature begets all creation。
Humility is maintained even as achievement is made。
No credit is claimed even as work is done。
Because no credit is claimed； so no credit is ever lost。
3
The Art of Government
The wise ruler treats able men
the same as he would treat others。
In so doing he avoids strife。
He plays down precious goods。
In so doing he discourages the
emergence of thieves。
He makes an effort to stem the
emergence of objects of desire。
In so doing he ensures that his citizens' minds
Will not be thrown into disarray。
Thus the Sage's governance
Satisfies the real needs of people；
While emptying their minds of desires；
Builds up the inner strengths （bones） of people
While weakening their vain ambitions。
He would preserve the natural simplicity
of his citizens'minds and reduce their desires。
In so doing the clever people will learn
that their contrivance will not work。
Because the Sage does nothing but following
the law of nature
Nothing will deviate from their natural and orderly places。
4
The Character and the Benefits of the Dao
The Way （Dao） is like water that simmers slowly；
Perpetually emitting its energy without boiling over。
It is like a deep； deep pool in the mountains；
Unfathomable yet could well harbor the origin of all life forms。
It can blunt sharp angles；
Resolve disputes；
Soften light that otherwise dazzles；
Re…establish concordance where there is discord。
Unfathomable； who would know its existence？
Today I know of no child of anyone
Who resembles our ancient forefathers。
（Who followed the Dao）。
5
The Impartial Laws of Nature
Heaven and earth are unkind。
They treat everything like the straw dogs used in sacrifice。
The Sages too are unkind。
In their eyes everyone is no different from a straw dog。
Within the bounds of Heaven and Earth；
There is plenty of space；
Much like there is space within a bellows。
Hollow but unyielding is this space。
The more you work on it；
The more air comes out。
Words are superfluous and soon reach their limits。
It is far better to adhere to
impartiality and the middle way。
6
Humility As the Basis of a Rich Life
The receptive； humble spirit
（〃the valley spirit〃） lives on。
It is known as the Mystical Female。
The doorway of the Mystical Female is known as
the root of heaven and earth。
From it； imperceptibly yet relentless；
Runs the energy。
7
Selflessness as a Way of Life
Heaven and earth last。
It is so because they do not give birth to themselves。
Similarly the last thing in the Sage's mind
is to propagate his body。
Paradoxically； that is why his body advances。
The body to the Sage is like any external object。
For this very reason his body perpetuates。
Is it not true that because he is selfless；
That he realizes his true self？
8
Undiscriminating Benevolence
The superior good man is like water。
Just as water enlivens all living creatures and
never contests with them；
dwelling in places disdained by others；
So the superior good man is prepared to situate himself where
nobody wants。
In this way he is close to the Dao。
To live on the good earth；
To cherish good thoughts；
To do a good turn to others；
To speak the good truth；
To let good governance find its right place；
To put the good ability to work；
To set in motion the good times；
Such is the way to live without contesting with others。
Such is the man free from complaints and anguish。
9
Knowing When to Stop
Holding a full load of what you desire in your hands
Is not as wise as putting it down。
Sharpening a knife edge to the extreme；
And it may chip off in use。
To have a house full of gold and jade；
And you will only invite thieves。
To succumb to conceit and arrogance upon getting wealth and status；
In the end you will regret it。
Retire once a task has been accomplished
And you are in consonance with Heaven's Way。
10
Mind Training
Can you concentrate your mind and soul；
and not lapse a minute？
Can you keep your breath soft and smooth；
just as an infant would？
Can you cleanse the eye of your mind；
and keep it free from a speck of dust？
Can you love your citizens and govern your country；
selflessly and according to the Dao？
If you were asked to guard the Gate of Heaven；
would you be totally impartial？
Can you understand the four dimensions of the universe；
and be free from self…guided reasoning？
To give birth to life； and
To nurture it； yet claiming no ownership；
To act； yet without being arrogant；
To bring up life； yet not determining its destiny：
That is the Mystical Virtue。
11
The Enlightened Spirit of Not Clinging
Thirty spokes make a wheel。
Forget about the spokes；
And we have the use of the wheel。
Working clay in the right way can produce a bowl。
Forget about the clay；
And we have the use of the bowl。
Carve a room off the side of a hill；
Forget about the hill；
And we have the use of the room。
We lay our hands on all kinds of materials for our advantage。
Yet we do not possess any of these materials
when we actually use their services。
12
Emancipation from the Enslavement of the Senses
Just as the five colors that we see can blind us；
So the five sounds that we hear can deafen us；
And the five tastes that we taste can dull our sense of taste。
As we hunt and chase after a moving target； our minds go wild。
So goods that are difficult to get
become hurdles in our life journey。
For this reason the Sage seeks to fill only the true needs（〃the needs of the
stomach〃）
Rather than to satisfy his senses（〃the needs of the eyes〃）。
He gives up the one；
And gains the other。
13
Selflessness Brings Inner Peace
When the emperor bestows his favors；
one feels wary；
When the emperor unleashes his anguish；
one also feels wary。
In the same light we should be wary of our body。
Why is it that favor； or anguish from the emperor
makes us wary？
Because we are under him； it is natural
that we are wary when we gain or lose his favor。
Why