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Why is that？
Because they live their lives。
The prevailing sentiment is that it's good to be one who stays alive。
To go into the wild mountains and not have to ward off a rhinocerous or tiger。
To enter the military and not have to wear armor。
The rhinocerous is without a place to thrust its horn。
The tiger is without a place to put its claws。
The soldier is without a place to stab his knife。
Why is that？
Because they are without death while here on this earth。
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Dao gives them life； De nurtures them。
Living things give them shape； and tools help them prosper。
It's natural for all living things to respect Dao and prize De。
Dao is respected。
De is prized。
Even if nothing gave them credit； they would always act from their own nature。
Dao gives them life。
They are nurtured； so they grow；
They are educated； so they mature；
When poisons appear； they are provided with protection。
Life is produced； but it won't be possessed。
Actions arise； but they won't be depended upon。
Growth occurs； but it must not be hampered。
This is the proper way to describe mysterious De。
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The world came into being； and because of that action the world became like a mother。
Once the mother has already given birth； there can be understanding of what she created。
Once there is understanding of what she created； return to protecting her as a mother。
As the sense of self vanishes； there will be no danger。
Close her door by stopping her dissipation；
Live your whole life and not have to work hard。
Allow her dissipation by competing in affairs；
Live your whole life and not get there。
Paying attention to what is insignificant is said to take lucidity。
Guarding what is soft is said to take strength。
Use her brightness to return to depending on her lucidity。
There is nothing that will cast off your existence to disaster。
This is refered to as what is always veiled beneath the surface。
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My own opinions have caused me to have a limited understanding of the operations of Great Dao。
It's only going astray from what is right that I dread the most。
The way of Great Dao is so smooth； but people prefer to take the most difficult route。
They keep the palaces and courts so clean； yet the fields are overgrown with weeds and the granaries are totally empty。
They wear fashionable clothing； carry sharp weapons to protect their property； eat until they are glutted。； and make sure they all have equal amounts of valuable possessions … more than they could possibly use。
Of course there will be thiefs！
Stealing is in opposition to Dao。
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A good builder doesn't destroy。
A good embracer doesn't abandon。
Future generations would then be grateful to them forever。
By an individual's progress … their De is then genuine。
By a household's progress … their De then exceeds。
By the countryside's progress … their De then increases。
By the city's progress … their De is then productive。
By the world's progress … their De is then sweeping。
With an individual … concentrate on the individual。
With a home … concentrate on the home。
With the countryside … concentrate on the countryside。
With the city … concentrate on the city。
With the world … concentrate on the world。
How is it possible for me to understand they are right with the world？
Because of these。
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One who possesses the fullness of De can be compared to a newborn baby。
Bees； scorpions and poisonous snakes will not sting him。
Hunting birds and ferocious animals will not grab him。
His bones are weak； his muscles are soft； yet he can grasp objects with great strength。
He has no knowledge of sexual intercourse； yet his penis becomes enlarged： so extreme is his life force。
He can yell all day； yet he doesn't get hoarse。
There is ultimate harmony in his expressiveness。
This harmony of expressiveness is said to be constant；
Knowing this harmony is said to be obvious。
Increasing life is said to be lucky。
Using the mind to control the natural energy of life is said to show strength。
A living creature who who pretends to be stronger than they are will quickly age。
This may be described as one who doesn't follow Dao。
Don't follow Dao and you'll come to an early end。
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One who understands won't be willing to use words；
One who uses words won't be willing to understand。
Shut off your dissipation。
Seal up your door。
Harmonize with your brightness。
Adapt to the dust in your life。
Blunt your sharpness。
Untangle your disorder。
This is correctly described as the mystery of putting the pieces together。
Therefore；
What can't be obtained and held closely also can't be obtained and cast off。
What can't be obtained and used for profit also can't be obtained and used for harm。
What can't be obtained and valued also can't be obtained and cheapened。
Therefore every action in the world is precious。
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When dealing with those in society；
It should be unusual to have to resort to arms。
By being without an agenda the whole world can be grasped。
How is it possible for me to know this is as it should be？
Well；
Within the world there are so many restrictions； but the people wage an extensive revolt。
Then the people take up many sharp weapons； but society just grows darker。
A person can gain much knowledge； but surprising things will continue to occur。
As legal matters become more exacting； there will be more theives and bandits to deal with。
It's only appropriate that a wise person would make these statements：
I'm without an agenda； and the people by themselves are fulfilled。
I don't interfere； and the people by themselves transform。
I enjoy serenity； and the people deal with things themselves。
My desire is to crave nothing； and the people by themselves find simplicity。
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When a trend is set of indecisiveness and melancholy； that's when people store up things。
When a trend is set of inspecting and evaluating； that's when those with power step in and divide property。
When there's a calamity … good fortune is something to be leaned on。
When there's good fortune … calamity is something that has to be surrendered to。
Who can understand when they've reached the peak of anything？
When there aren't any trends being set … the mere idea of setting a trend seems strange。
What started out as being good might later seem misguided。
That can make a person lost and confused！
They thought that what occurred on one day would last forever。
It's correct to use a sharp edge； yet not to slice anything off；
To use a pointed implement； yet not to pierce deeply；
To be straightforward； yet not to elaborate at length；
To shine y