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Being one with Tao； we are no longer concerned about
losing our life because we know the Tao is constant
and we are one with Tao。
17
The best leaders are those the people hardly know exist。
The next best is a leader who is loved and praised。
Next comes the one who is feared。
The worst one is the leader that is despised。
If you don't trust the people；
they will become untrustworthy。
The best leaders value their words； and use them sparingly。
When she has accomplished her task；
the people say； 〃Amazing：
we did it； all by ourselves！〃
18
When the great Tao is abandoned；
charity and righteousness appear。
When intellectualism arises；
hypocrisy is close behind。
When there is strife in the family unit；
people talk about 'brotherly love'。
When the country falls into chaos；
politicians talk about 'patriotism'。
19
Forget about knowledge and wisdom；
and people will be a hundred times better off。
Throw away charity and righteousness；
and people will return to brotherly love。
Throw away profit and greed；
and there won't be any thieves。
These three are superficial and aren't enough
to keep us at the center of the circle； so we must also：
Embrace simplicity。
Put others first。
Desire little。
20
Renounce knowledge and your problems will end。
What is the difference between yes and no？
What is the difference between good and evil？
Must you fear what others fear？
Nonsense； look how far you have missed the mark！
Other people are joyous；
as though they were at a spring festival。
I alone am unconcerned and expressionless；
like an infant before it has learned to smile。
Other people have more than they need；
I alone seem to possess nothing。
I am lost and drift about with no place to go。
I am like a fool； my mind is in chaos。
Ordinary people are bright；
I alone am dark。
Ordinary people are clever；
I alone am dull。
Ordinary people seem discriminating；
I alone am muddled and confused。
I drift on the waves on the ocean；
blown at the mercy of the wind。
Other people have their goals；
I alone am dull and uncouth。
I am different from ordinary people。
I nurse from the Great Mother's breasts。
21
The greatest virtue you can have
comes from following only the Tao；
which takes a form that is intangible and evasive。
Even though the Tao is intangible and evasive；
we are able to know it exists。
Intangible and evasive； yet it has a manifestation。
Secluded and dark； yet there is a vitality within it。
Its vitality is very genuine。
Within it we can find order。
Since the beginning of time； the Tao has always existed。
It is beyond existing and not existing。
How do I know where creation comes from？
I look inside myself and see it。
22
If you want to become whole；
first let yourself become broken。
If you want to become straight；
first let yourself become twisted。
If you want to become full；
first let yourself become empty。
If you want to become new；
first let yourself become old。
Those whose desires are few get them；
those whose desires are great go astray。
For this reason the Master embraces the Tao；
as an example for the world to follow。
Because she isn't self centered；
people can see the light in her。
Because she does not boast of herself；
she becomes a shining example。
Because she does not glorify herself；
she becomes a person of merit。
Because she wants nothing from the world；
the world can not overcome her。
When the ancient Masters said；
〃If you want to become whole；
then first let yourself be broken；〃
they weren't using empty words。
All who do this will be made complete。
23
Nature uses few words：
when the gale blows； it will not last long；
when it rains hard； it lasts but a little while；
What causes these to happen？ Heaven and Earth。
Why do we humans go on endlessly about little
when nature does much in a little time？
If you open yourself to the Tao；
you and Tao become one。
If you open yourself to Virtue；
then you can become virtuous。
If you open yourself to loss；
then you will become lost。
If you open yourself to the Tao；
the Tao will eagerly welcome you。
If you open yourself to virtue；
virtue will become a part of you。
If you open yourself to loss；
the lost are glad to see you。
〃When you do not trust people；
people will become untrustworthy。〃
24
Those who stand on tiptoes
do not stand firmly。
Those who rush ahead
don't get very far。
Those who try to outshine others
dim their own light。
Those who call themselves righteous
can't know how wrong they are。
Those who boast of their accomplishments
diminish the things they have done。
Compared to the Tao； these actions are unworthy。
If we are to follow the Tao； we must not do these things。
25
Before the universe was born
there was something in the chaos of the heavens。
It stands alone and empty；
solitary and unchanging。
It is ever present and secure。
It may be regarded as the Mother of the universe。
Because I do not know its name；
I call it the Tao。
If forced to give it a name；
I would call it 'Great'。
Because it is Great means it is everywhere。
Being everywhere means it is eternal。
Being eternal means everything returns to it。
Tao is great。
Heaven is great。
Earth is great。
Humanity is great。
Within the universe； these are the four great things。
Humanity follows the earth。
Earth follows Heaven。
Heaven follows the Tao。
The Tao follows only itself。
26
Heaviness is the basis of lightness。
Stillness is the standard of activity。
Thus the Master travels all day
without ever leaving her wagon。
Even though she has much to see；
she is at peace in her indifference。
Why should the lord of a thousand chariots
be amused at the foolishness of the world？
If you abandon yourself to foolishness；
you lose touch with your beginnings。
If you let yourself become distracted；
you will lose the basis of your power。
27
A good traveler leaves no tracks；
and a skillful speaker is well rehearsed。
A good bookkeeper has an excellent memory；
and a well made door is easy to open and needs no locks。
A good knot needs no rope and it can not come undone。
Thus the Master is willing to help everyone；
and doesn't know the meaning of rejection。
She is there to help all of creation；
and doesn't abandon even the smallest creature。
This is called embracing the light。
What is a good person but a bad person's teacher？
What is a bad person but raw material for his teacher？
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