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This prevents you
from becoming trapped by them。
Everything in the universe is full of Tao
and leads to Tao；
just like the water in rivers
that flows into oceans。
33
Knowing things makes you smart；
but knowing yourself makes you wise。
To rule others； you must be powerful；
but to rule yourself；
you must be strong。
If you have only what you need；
you have true wealth。
If you never give up；
you will find a way。
If you stay true to yourself；
you will never be lost。
If you stay alive your whole life；
you've really lived。
34
Tao flows in all directions。
It's in everything；
but nothing can contain it。
Everything needs Tao；
so Tao provides；
and never expects anything in return。
Everything comes from Tao；
but Tao doesn't call attention to itself。
It wants for nothing。
Think nothing of it。
Everything leads to Tao；
but Tao doesn't call attention to itself。
Pretty impressive； huh？
It doesn't strive for success。
That's why it succeeds。
35
When you get right with Tao；
everybody wants to be your friend。
When they're around you；
they can relax and enjoy themselves。
People can be easily distracted
by music or good food。
When we try to talk about Tao；
it seems boring by comparison。
It doesn't look like much。
It doesn't sound like much。
But no matter how much you use；
there's still plenty left。
36
To make something smaller；
you need to appreciate its size。
To make something weaker；
you must recognize its strength。
To get rid of something；
you need to hold it tight。
To take something；
you must give it up entirely。
To put it another way：
Sensitivity and weakness
overcome unfeeling strength。
37
Tao never does anything
but nothing is left undone。
If our leaders
could get in touch with Tao；
the world would take care of itself。
Even if they wanted
to impose their own ideas；
they'd be drawn back to Tao's
nameless simplicity。
When our lives are that simple；
we want for nothing。
We can relax；
and the world becomes a better place。
38
People with integrity
don't even think about it。
That's how you can tell
they have integrity。
Other people talk about
how much integrity they have；
when they really don't have much。
If any。
Truly powerful people
don't do anything；
but they get the job done。
Other people are always busy
doing something；
but nothing ever gets done。
When kind people act；
they do so without thinking about it。
When the just act；
they're always sure
they're doing the right thing。
But when the righteous act；
and nobody reacts；
they try to force everyone
to do things their way。
If you're not in touch with Tao；
at least you can still have integrity。
If you don't have integrity；
there's always kindness。
If you don't have kindness；
there's always justice。
If you don't have justice；
all you have left is righteousness。
Righteousness is an pale imitation
of true faith and loyalty；
and always leads to trouble。
If you've already made up your mind；
you don't know the first thing about Tao；
and you never will。
The Masters pay attention
to what's beneath the surface。
They'll look at a tree's leaves；
but eat the fruit。
They turn all that down；
so they can accept this。
39
Since time began；
this is what it's meant
to be in touch with Tao：
Tao made the heavens clear。
Tao made the earth solid。
Tao made our spirits strong。
Tao made the valleys fertile。
Tao gave all living things life。
Tao gave rulers authority。
Without Tao；
the heavens would collapse。
Without Tao；
the earth would crumble。
Without Tao；
our spirits would fade away。
Without Tao；
the valleys would dry up。
Without Tao；
all life would become extinct。
Without Tao；
rulers would stumble and fall。
Humility gives us power。
Our leaders should think of themselves
as insignificant； powerless；
unworthy of their stature。
Isn't that what humility is all about？
Be strong；
but pay no attention to hollow praise。
Don't call attention to yourself。
Don't make a scene。
40
Tao is always heading
back to where it came from。
Tao advances by not pressing forward。
Things exist because they are。
They are because they once were not。
41
When a wise person hears about Tao；
he gets right with it。
When an ordinary person
hears about Tao；
he tries to get right with it；
but eventually gives up。
When a fool hears about Tao；
he just laughs and laughs。
If he didn't laugh； it wouldn't be Tao。
Here's what they find so funny：
The path to enlightenment
seems covered in shadows。
The way forward
feels like taking a step back。
The easiest path seems difficult。
Those with the most virtue
seem debased。
Those who are most pure
seem to be grubby and soiled。
The deepest thoughts appear shallow。
The greatest strength
looks like weakness。
What is most real
strikes us as imaginary。
The largest space has no boundaries。
The greatest talent
seems to produce nothing。
The greatest voice is unhearable。
The greatest beauty is invisible。
Tao is hidden to us
and it has no name。
It is the source and the strength of all things。
42
Chapter 42 starts out
with some cosmic mumbo…jumbo
about Tao making one；
one making two；
two making three；
and three making everything else。
I don't know what it means；
and； frankly；
I wouldn't worry about it too much。
Let's get to the practical part：
Men hate to be called
powerless； insignificant； or unworthy；
but that's how
Masters describe themselves。
Because when we lose； we've won。
And when we succeed； we've failed。
Other people will tell you
what I'm telling you now：
〃Live by the sword； die by the sword。〃
That's pretty much what Chapter 42
boils down to。
（See Chapter 46 for more details。）
43
The softest force in the universe
can overcome the hardest of objects。
Something without substance
can pass through the space between atoms。
That's how I know
about the power of doing nothing。
The silent teachings
and the power of doing nothing
can only be understood
by a few people。
44
What's more important；
fame or your well…being？
What's worth more；
your money or your life？
What is more dangerous；
winning or losing？
If you are too attached
to your possessions；
they will bring you misery。
If you ha