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81
True words are not flattering。
Flattering words are not true。
The Good do not argue。
One who argues is not Good。
The wise are not learned。
The learned are not wise。
The wise man does not hoard。
The more he does for others； the more he has。
The more he does with others； the better he becomes。
Heaven's Way is to help； not harm。
The wise man's Way is to act without strife。Source Materials
English_Kunesh_TTK
Das Tao Te King von Lao Tse
English adaption by
tom kunesh
1
The atheism that one can come to
by argument
is not true atheism。
A definition given to atheism in one age
is not the unchanging atheism
nor its permanent meaning。
From the original experience
of being human
atheism arises。
Being the original human experience；
it is the parent of all religion。
From theism we derive the essence of atheism；
although from their names； we see only the conflict。
Both ways of experience
have the same origin
only different names。
Their mutual identity is the mystery
of experience。
And in this mystery
is found
the doorway
to the universe。
2
Everyone knows what god is
that is how we know what is not god。
Everyone knows what good is
that is how we know what is not good。
This is how being and not…being；
experience and non…experience；
theism and atheism
create each other
and are mutually dependent。
Light and dark complement each other；
long and short form one another；
low and high are relative；
sound and tone are harmonies。
Wise persons
do not judge good or bad
do not take action for or against
do not disown judgment or action
but practice a silent teaching。
Only together do opposites make a whole。
The world is acted upon by even the passive observer；
still nothing is taken and nothing is destroyed。
Things are created； actions taken；
but no claim is made upon them。
Things are controlled but not manipulated for personal gain。
Compensation verbal or material is never the desired goal。
3
By not saying
one is better than the other
we prevent argument。
By turning down
promises and rewards of another life
we eliminate competition for heaven。
If other realms of existence
are not promoted as new and improved
religions will not seek converts。
Empty the heart and mind of ambition；
fill the stomachs of the hungry；
live simply without material and intellectual treasures；
live simply by your own physical labor。
People are led best when information is value…free
and their basic needs and wants are fulfilled。
This way people in power cannot manipulate and interfere。
Through nonaction and noninterference
all becomes better。
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4
Atheism is an empty bowl：
it cannot be filled
neither does it need filling。
It is at the beginning of all human consciousness
and is even the origin of theism。
Soften the sharpness
stop the debate
dissolve the confusion
reduce the glare
become like dust。
Like a spring…fed pool in a quiet forest
it has no bottom
no beginning
no end。
Is atheism born from theism？
No one knows。
But it is
the natural state
of all being。
5
The earth and the universe
have no attachments。
Everything is dust
to them； within them。
So； too； the wise
have no permanent attachments。
To them also
people are dust； ideas are dust。
Still； the earth is like a fan：
empty；
never filled；
constantly giving。
The more it works；
the more it gives。
The more one speaks
of theism or atheism；
the less is understood。
Better to keep quiet
and look inside。
6
Low…lying
human spirit
never dies
it is the eternal mystery。
The forces
of the earth
and the universe
are the doorway
to the mysterious。
It is here
within us
always。
Use it
it will never run dry。
7
The sky is eternal；
the earth remains。
Energy is constant；
matter is always。
Why do these things outlive us beings？
Because they do not promote
their own existence。
Place yourself last
and thereby be first。
Keep apart
but thereby be included。
Through this disinterest
and selfless action；
the fulfillment of one's journey
is achieved。
8
The objective
is to become
like water。
Water is the basis of life in all living beings；
yet it is consciousless
and flows away from all high places。
It lives underground
and in the swamps that people disdain。
Thus it is the best example
of the way。
In building a physical structure； build close to the earth。
In constructing an intellectual edifice； keep it close to the heart。
In affairs of the heart and mind； be deep。
In affairs of money and human need； be generous。
In friendship； be gentle。
In words； be true。
In leadership； be just。
In work； be effective。
In action； precise。
By not contending with anyone
there is no strife；
and with no strife；
no failure。
9
Better to underfill
than to overfill a cup。
The overstretched bow
soon breaks。
The constantly sharpened blade
soon dulls。
A house full of possessions and wealth
cannot always be protected。
A mind full of morality and social convention
will not always be right。
Materialism and ambition
bring their own ruin。
Draw back
from your completed work and fame。
This is the way
of water。
10
Living both an emotional and intellectual life；
can you join them without separation？
Breathing and moving；
can you be as soft as a child？
Seeing；
can you narrow and sharpen your focus
on the universe till it is perfect？
Loving；
can you care for and lead all the people
without becoming known as the care…provider and leader？
Opening and closing the gates of life and death
can you remain powerless？
Knowing and understanding science； reason and politics；
are you able to let it go？
Create and sustain ideas and things；
but do not attempt to control them。
Manage them； but do not ask them for credit or favors。
Guide them； but do not dominate。
This is the way of the universe。
11
Engine and alternator and U…joint and tires and accelerator and steeringwheel and headlights and bucket seats
all together make a car；
but it is the space within
inside the empty seats
that makes it
useful。
Clay and glass and plastic are molded to create
jars and vases and cups and bags；
but it is the space inside
that is empty
that makes them
useful。
Houses and sk