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they are effective but not conceited； effective but not proud； effective but not arrogant。 They are effective when they have to be； effective but not coercive。
If you peak in strength； you then age； this； it is said； is unguided。 The unguided soon come to an end。
31
Fine weapons are instruments of ill omen： people may despise them； so those with the Way do not dwell with them。
Therefore the place of honor for the cultured is on the left； while the honored place for the martialist is on the right。
Weapon； being instruments of ill omen； are not the tools of the cultures； who use them only when unavoidable。
They consider it best to be aloof； they win without beautifying it。 Those who beautify it enjoy killing people。 Those who enjoy killing cannot get their will of the world。
The left is favored for auspicious things； the right for things of ill omen： so the subordinate general is on the left； the top general on the right。 That means when you are in ascendancy of power you handle it as you would a mourning。
When you have killed many people； you weep for them in sorrow。 When you win a war； you celebrate by mourning。
Start fashioning； and there are names； once names also exist； you should know when to stop。 By knowing when to stop； you are not endangered。
32
The Way is eternally nameless； Though simplicity is small； the world cannot subordinate it。
If lords and monarchs can keep to it； all beings will naturally resort to them。
Heaven and earth combine； thus showering sweet dew。 No humans command it； it is even by nature。
The Way is to the world as rivers and oceans to valley streams。
33
Those who know others are wise； those who know themselves are enlightened。
Those who overcome others are powerful； those who overcome themselves are strong。
Those who are contented are rich； those who act strongly have will。
Those who do not lose their place endure； those who die without perishing live long。
34
The Great Way is universal； it can apply to the left or the right。
All beings depend on it for life； and it does not refuse。 Its accomplishments fulfilled； it does not dwell on them。 It lovingly nurtures all beings； but does not act as their ruler。
As it has no desire； it can be called small。
All beings take to it； yet it does not act as their ruler； it can be called great。
Therefore sages never contrive greatness； that is why they can become so great。
35
When holding the Great Image； the world goes on and on without harm； peaceful； even； tranquil。
When there is music and dining； passing travelers stop；
but the issue of the Way is so plain as to be flavorless。 When you look at it； it is invisible； when you listen to it； it is inaudible； when you use it； it cannot be exhausted。
36
Should you want to contain something； you must first deliberately let it expand。 Should you want to weaken something； you must deliberately let it grow strong。 Should you want to eliminate something； you must deliberately allow it to flourish。
This is called subtle illumination。 Flexible and yielding overcome adamant coerciveness。
Fish shouldn't be taken from the depths； the effective tools of the nation shouldn't be shown to others。
37
The Way is always uncontrived； yet there's nothing it doesn't do。
If lords and monarchs could keep to it； all beings would evolve spontaneously。 When they have evolved and want to act； I would stabilize them with nameless simplicity。
Even nameless simplicity would not be wanted。 By not wanting； there is calm； and the world will straighten itself。
38
Higher virtue is not ingratiating； that is why it ha virtue。 Lower virtue does not forget about reward； that is why it is virtueless。
Higher virtue is uncontrived； and there is no way to contrive it。 Lower virtue is created； and there is a way to do it。
Higher humanity is created； but there is no way to contrive it。 Higher duty is done； and there is a way to do it。 Higher courtesy is done； but no one responds to it； so there is forced repetition。
Therefore virtue comes after the loss of the Way； humanity comes after the loss of virtue； duty comes after the loss of humanity； courtesy comes after the loss of duty。
Manners mean loyalty and trust are thin； and disarray's beginning。 Foresight is a flower of the Way； and the beginning of ignorance too。
Therefore great people dwell in the thick； not the thin。 They abide in the substance； not the flower。 So they leave the latter and take the former。
39
When unity was attained of old； heaven became clear by attaining unity； earth became steady by attaining unity； spirit was quickened by attaining unity；
valley streams were filled by attaining unity； all beings were born by attaining unity； and by attaining unity lords acted rightly for the sake of the world。 What brought this about was unity：
without means of clarity； heaven may burst； without means of steadiness； earth may erupt； without mens of quickening； spirit may be exhausted； without means of filling；
valley streams may dry up； without means of birth； all beings may perish； without means of acting rightly； lords may stumble。
Therefore nobility is rooted in humility； loftiness is based on lowliness。
Thais is why noble people refer to themselves as alone； lacking； and unworthy。 Is this not being rooted in humility？ So there is no praise in repeated praise； they don't want to be like jewels or like stones。
So there is no praise in repeated praise；
they don't want to be like jewels or like stones。
40
Return is the movement of the Way； yielding is the function of the Way。
All things in the world are born of being； being is born of nonbeing。
41
When superior people hear of the Way； they carry it out with diligence。 When middling people hear of the way； it sometimes seems to be there； sometimes not。
When lesser people hear of the Way； they ridicule it greatly。 If they didn't laugh at it； it wouldn't be the Way。
So there are constructive sayings on this： The Way of illumination seems dark； the Way of advancement seems retiring； the Way of equality seems to categorize； higher virtue seems empty； greater purity seems ignominious； broad virtue seems insufficient；
constructive virtue seems careless。 Simple honesty seems changeable； great range has no boundaries； great vessels are finished late； the great sound has a rarefied tone； the great image has no form；
the Way hides in namelessness。 Only the Way can enhance and perfect。
42
The Way produces one； one produces two； two produce three； three produce all beings：
all beings bear yin and embrace yang； with a mellowing energy for harmony。
The things people dislike are only to be alone； lacking； and unworthy； yet these are what monarchs call themselves。
Therefore people may gain from loss； and may lose from gain。
What others teach； I also teach。 The strong cannot master their death： I take this to be the father of teachings。
43
What is softest in the world drive