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yet politicians and priests gain by calling themselves such。
Still； a person
gains by losing
and loses by gaining；
becomes wise from disadvantage
and ignorant from privilege。
The truths of other religions and philosophies
are the same：
an eye for an eye； a tooth for a tooth；
turn the other cheek；
a violent person will die a violent death。
43
The softest
overcomes the hardest。
Having no form to maintain
it can go where there is no space。
Water wears down and splits rock with no intention
this is how I know the value of action that has no motivation。
Yet few people understand the value of
teaching without words
relationship without promise
being without doing
religion without god。
44
Being praised by others
or valued by oneself
which is most important？
You or things；
health or wealth
which is more valuable？
Having things
or losing things
which is better？
The person who saves the most will pay the most in the end；
the one who acquires the most possessions and property
will lose the most in the end。
Attachment causes suffering。
Be satisfied with where you are and what you have
and you will never be sorry。
Be satisfied with when you are
and you will be always
safe； always
secure。
45
Perfection seems to be missing something
but like an empty cup
it is perfect。
The fullest seems to be empty
but like the ocean
it is always there。
The perfectly straight line looks crooked
the most intelligent seem stupid
the best speech seems like stuttering。
Activity overcomes cold
but stillness overcomes heat。
Being still；
one puts everything
in its proper place。
46
When the way is followed
railroad tracks become bicycle paths
king lots and highways get plowed under
oil cushions the crust of the earth。
When the way is not followed
railroads haul weapons and fuel
food and energy are stockpiled
the earth is bled away and sold。
No motive is more compelling
than wanting what others have
no illness more debilitating
than dissatisfaction with what one has
no better forecast of failure
than wanting more。
Knowing
the satisfaction
of being content
with the simple life
a wise person will always be satisfied。
47
Without leaving your house
without looking outside
you can understand
the whole world。
The more you search
the less you will find
the more information you acquire
the less you will know
the more you travel
the less you will feel at home。
Arrive without leaving
see without looking
do nothing yet everything。
48
Learning means accumulating something every day。
ollowing the way
means losing something every day。
Loss followed by loss
until everything is gone
and nothing
is to be done
and everything
is accomplished。
Win by letting things take their natural course
lose by interfering。
49
The follower of the way has
no constant heart or mind； no morality； no reason。
One uses the hearts and minds of others。
I am good to good people
I am also good to bad people
how else will they experience good？
I believe the truthful person
I also believe the liar and cheat
how else will they experience trust？
To others the follower of the way
looks like a gullible coward。
For others the follower of the way
is simply simple。
Others want to know the deeper meaning；
the real person； the true motive；
more photos； more sound bites。
The follower of the way
accepts the surface
and understands
the depths。
50
In wanting to live life more fully
one dies。
Some people live forcefully in order to evade death。
Some people die within themselves in order to evade life。
Some people just survive with a human body
as life becomes a thing to have or get or lose。
But others who follow the way seem to be impervious
to car accidents or woods at night or the bomb。
Stray cars find nothing to hit；
the woods contain no lions or tigers or bears；
the bomb finds no bodies to burn。
Why？
Because people prepared to die live
and those prepared to live die。
Life generates death
and death life。
51
The way creates
its truth sustains
its matter shapes
its energy is the spark of life
There is not one thing that does not know the way
or is not influenced by it
even though there is no instruction to follow
or bill to pay。
It is just so naturally。
As the universe creates everything；
sustains it； shapes it； enlivens it；
you are called
to care for the world but not own it；
use it but not abuse it；
lead but do not control。
This is the way of the universe。
52
We attribute the creation of many things to a
ent
and so we imagine a beginner of all creation
and call it god or Dao or the Big Bang。
Knowing the origin we know the children。
Knowing the children we understand the origin better。
Knowing the one we know the many
knowing the many we know the one better。
Close your eyes； shut your doors；
and you will live forever。
Turn on the tv； become involved； get busy；
and you become vulnerable to everything。
Seeing small things clearly is good vision；
holding on to weak things is strength。
Seeing the outer light yet being able to return to the inner light
seeing the many and being able to return to the one
a person survives。
This is called
returning。
53
To travel the way is like
following a foot path
to your destination
you have nothing to fear
so long as you
stay on the path
and avoid turning。
Paths are safe and easy
but people like to stray
away。
When government works at setting things right
farmers' fields lie fallow
the silos stay empty
people wear the latest fashion
carry weapons； go out to eat and drink a lot
buy more possessions than they can use
like thieves stocking up。
This is not the foot path。
54
What is well planted cannot be pulled up
what is well held cannot slip away
a good family will live on for generations。
Follow the way and free yourself of the meaningless
follow it in your home and prosper
follow it in your town and be secure
follow it in your nation and flourish
follow it in the world and expand your horizons。
Within you is the basis for the perfect home
in your own home is the basis for the perfect town
in your town is the basis for perfect nation
in your nation is the basis for perfect world
in our own world is the basis for the perfect universe。
How do I know all this？
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